Sky Previews: Zach's turn for glory in the Donnie Leger re-match

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 16 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

My idea of the winner is Droopys Zach. Occasionally castigated for having a few of his own ideas about the game – despite the fact he has finished out of the first two only once in his last 17 races - he was flying at the finish at Wimbledon.

Three weeks after a thrilling St Leger final won by Kinda Easy, the first three home are set to do battle again in the Yorkshire version, live on Sky Sports from Doncaster.

A stunning Yorkshire Leger final, which features not only the first three from the Leger itself, but also two of the semi-finalists, heads up another live Sky Sports programme, live from Doncaster, this Tuesday evening.

Sky Sport's request that the race be scheduled after the Leger, rather than precede it as per last year, could not have panned out any better with Mark Wallis' Leger 1-2 Kinda Ready and Droopys Zach set for a re-match with third placed Lorrys Options.

But it's another finalist, Crown Rover, surprisingly eliminated in the Wimbledon semi-finals after missing the start that sets the standard after a runaway front-running performance last week. The trap one draw for Jimmy Wrights Grand Prix winner looks ideal, provided that is he traps, which while likely cannot be guaranteed.

Even if he does ping however, Kinda Easy is likely to match him early on, although the Leger champion has failed to handle Doncaster anywhere near as effectively as he did Wimbledon, and even if he happened to shoot out in front his wide-running tactics suggest he's unlikely to hold off the stronger runners.

Crown Rover, of course, is far from one-dimensional, and is capable of winning from off the pace, but my idea of the winner is Droopys Zach, the only unbeaten finalist. Occasionally castigated for having a few of his own ideas about the game - despite the fact he has finished out of the first two only once in his last 17 races - Wallis' second finalist, was flying at the finish at Wimbledon losing out to his kennelmate by only the smallest of margins.

Winner of the Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore, he has remained on the go all year, during which time he has maintained the highest level of form and has comfortably accounted for Kinda Easy in both preliminary rounds. Lorrys Options, a dual Category One winner earlier in the year, was beaten only a neck by 'Zach' in their semi-final, and is arguably still improving after a lengthy layoff, but I'm just not sure, despite his Leger third, that he's quite as good as he was prior to his absence.

At bigger odds, Carbarns Tom is interesting on his first round thumping of Lorrys Options, and Charlie Lister's runner, three times a winner at Doncaster, should not be under-estimated. Lightly raced this season, he has nevertheless won eight of his fifteen starts since March.

On the supporting card, I fancy Target Gold (7.40) to make an immediate impact for Julie Bateson and her fast becoming major owners The Target Lads. Formerly known as Drumna Thistle, he dead-heated in a recent Shelbourne final, and his Doncaster trial reads well. Ideally drawn outside railer Ninja Jamie, he can prove the best bet of the night.

Boherbradda Mac has won four of his last five starts since coming out of retirement and can deny Officer Donagh a five-timer in the Sprint at 8.0. Harry Williams' veteran is 3/3 over the CD, while his rival has no previous local form, and is also uncomfortably drawn in trap one.

Little Jigg (9.25) can win a decent looking bitches' race, where Charlie Lister fields useful new recruit Bandicoot Frisky. But the selection has improved markedly for the switch to Chris Allsopp, winning five of her last six, and can overcome an unfamiliar trap four draw.

Ring Ouzel (8.50) much improved since returning from a lengthy absence can upset Arctic Monkey, while Run Of The Hawk, a shock elimination in the Yorkshire Leger semi-finals, is hard to oppose in the 8.35.