Doncaster St Leger Meeting / Graham Cunningham / 10 September 2009 / Leave a comment

The sun continues to shine at Doncaster and the Channel 4 cameras will be on hand this Friday for a card featuring three Group 2 contests and two hot handicaps. Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham casts his eye over the best of the action

"Geordieland is revitalised after a break - and he does tend to go well fresh - then he could win handsomely. However, it's seldom that straightforward with this mercurial character and if you twisted my armI would have to opt for Askar Tau's dourness to win the day."

1.35

This has all the makings of a real burnup.

Piccadilly Filly has lightning early pace, while Star Rover and Mister Manannan won't be far behind her.

Mister Manannan was checked early when pipped by Star Rover at York and can take his revenge on that hardy rival this time.

However, fillies have a fine record in this and the faster they go the more likely it is that Misheer and Sand Vixen will come to the fore late.

Jockeyship could be important given that both fillies are drawn close to the stand rail and it wouldn't be surprising to see traffic problems at some stage.

Sand Vixen travelled like a dream in a Newbury Listed race which is working out well, while Misheer needs to prove herself back at five furlongs after bolting up in the Cherry Hinton at Newmarket.

It could be a close call. Sand Vixen might be the value option, but this isn't a race I would want to go overboard about.


2.05

Five refugees from the Ebor and a couple of others who ran well at York for a handicap with any number of possibilities.

Nanton came out best of the Ebor quintet, just ahead of Manyriverstocross with Waldvogel, Record Breaker and Desert Sea in the ruck.

Manyriverstocross could prove the pick of the bunch this time, but the two who interest me most are Cosmic Sun and Hawk Mountain.

It's surprising to see just one three-year-old in this field given that age group have won seven of the last 10 renewals, but Cosmic Sun is tough and progressive and is slightly better than he showed when checked in a hot renewal of the Melrose at York.

Hawk Mountain also had to settle for minor money on the Knavesmire, but he didn't quite last home against very progressive rivals over two miles there. This shorter trip looks a plus and his owner Nick Luck reports that he has been working as well as ever on the Malton gallops recently.


2.40

I'm always willing to consider Geordieland as a back-to-lay vehicle - but whether I can justify backing him to win outright at skinny odds is another matter.

Jamie Osborne's grey has much more natural ability than any of this field - and he looked as good as ever when bolting up at Sandown in the spring - but his old tendency to find little off the bridle reared its head again at Royal Ascot.

Perhaps the switch from Shane Kelly to Michael Kinane will work the oracle, but I'd much rather back him at [2.3] with a view to laying off at [1.5] than let it ride through a nerve wracking final quarter mile.

Askar Tau is the polar opposite of Geordieland when it comes to running style in that he can come off the bridle early before finding plenty and the combination of a visor and the strength of Ryan Moore for the first time saw him produce a career best when forging clear of Record Breaker in the Lonsdale Cup at York.

In short, if Geordieland is revitalised after a break - and he does tend to go well fresh - then he could win handsomely.

However, it's seldom that straightforward with this mercurial character and if you twisted my arm I would have to opt for Askar Tau's dourness to win the day.


3.15 and 4.25

Two short priced "good things" in the shape of the much vaunted Seta and the exciting Al Zir.

On balance, I suspect both will win, but I would rather take [1.4] about Al Zir than lump on Seta at similar odds.

Granted, Seta was one of the most impressive maiden winners of the season on her Newmarket debut and performance looks all the more striking given that the placed horses have both won since.

A mile will suit her very well, but Clarietta and Quiet are firmly on the upgrade and I would much rather bank on Al Zir if pushed.

Godolphin have saddled 30 juvenile winners this season, but few if any were as impressive as this colt. He looked for all the world a potential Pattern race contender when breezing clear at HQ and should take this handsomely on the way to better things.

Tags: Al Zir, Askar Tau, Cosmic Sun, Doncaster, Ebor, Geordieland, Hawk Mountain, Nick Luck, Sand Vixen, Seta