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Horseracing Betting Briefing: St Leger makes up the final Classic of the season

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Andrew Hughes tells all the racing fans out there what they have to look forward to this week

"You da man!" roars the orange-tinted gent in the commentary booth and a nation cringes. The cringe is automatic, it may be a British distaste for the showy and vulgar, it may be a healthy suspicion of village idiots.

But be honest, after a cringe, don't you chuckle, just a little? Or at the very least, crack a smile? I know I do. Matt Chapman is not a comedian. He isn't someone who could make the telephone directory funny, unless it was by picking out the silly names ("Mr Crapweasel from Norwich, you da man!"). But when he tells a bad joke, when he unleashes some dreadful piece of Carry-on style innuendo or when he spends the entire post-race portion discussing why his hyped-up nag trailed in second from last, he doesn't irritate me.

What I hear in Chapman's voice is enthusiasm, a relentless, leap out of bed at five o' clock in the morning, whistle a happy tune as you drive to work in the rain enthusiasm. His spirit will not be crushed it seems, by any number of God-awful evening meetings. He is the perfect front man; he is Alan Partridge without the irony; he is Derek Thompson on fast forward; he is a force of nature. Matt Chapman, we salute you.

Sunday 7th September

Less than a month till the Arc and Longchamp limbers up with the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, a prestigious affair for a selection of Europe's best milers. Besides the Moulin, you may like to dabble in the Prix du Pin, a venerable seven-furlong race dating back to 1883 and the Prix La Rochette for promising youngsters.

Wednesday 10th September

The St Leger meeting is the main business of the week, but it starts with something of a whimper, the only highlight of a subdued opening day card being the Listed Scarborough Stakes, a five furlong dash for horses with Group pretensions.

Thursday 11th September

Ladies Day at Doncaster and some quality fare. The May Hill Stakes run over a mile has an impeccable pedigree for producing top-notch two year olds whilst the Park Hill Stakes attracts a healthy-sized field of stamina-laden fillies and mares. And, for obvious reasons, there is usually a bumper turnout for the £300,000 Two Year Old Stakes.

Friday 12th September

The Doncaster Cup, as well as being the third leg of the old Stayers Triple Crown is also the oldest race in the world, tracing its origins back to 1766. The two and a quarter miles brings the best of the ultra stayers to Town Moor and by way of contrast, the Flying Childers Stakes is a speed fest for the more rapid two year olds. And if handicaps float your boat, take a look at the highly competitive Mallard Stakes over the St Leger distance.

Saturday 13th September

The St Leger may not be the pinnacle of racing fashion these days but the final Classic of the season is a must-see contest. It is supported by the Champagne Stakes, one of the premier two year old races of the season; the Park Stakes over the specialist trip of seven furlongs and perhaps the betting heat of the day, the Portland Handicap, in which a massive field go to post for a five furlong cavalry charge.

Over the Irish Sea, its also St Leger day. The Curragh version may lack the history of the original, but being open to older horses, it attracts decent staying types of all ages. And if you can, it's well worth catching the Blandford Stakes for fillies and mares in which Sir Michael Stoute has a great record; the Renaissance Stakes for sprinters and the Listed Flame of Tara Stakes for two-year-old fillies.

And a busy Saturday is completed with action from Goodwood and Chester. The jewel of the South Downs host the Stardom Stakes for two year olds with stamina, the Sunlit Stakes over six furlongs and a brace of solid looking handicaps, including the magnificently named Swan's Bottom Stakes. Meanwhile, at the Roodeye, you can watch a jolly card of honest contests, including the Listed Carlsberg Stand Cup and the frenetic dash of the Henry Gee Stakes.