Doncaster Racing Tips: Two fancies from day one of the St Leger meeting

If Channel 4 Racing had a crystal ball when they chose their 2015 fixtures last year, then I think it is fair to assume that the return of AP McCoy to the saddle in the Leger Legends at 15:35, would have been on their wish-list.

But the opening day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster opens up without terrestrial coverage, a shame for them as you would have thought it would have been a big ratings winner for the channel, especially if AP justifies favouritism on the 4-1 favourite Gannicus.

And backers of his in-form mount know that they will get maximum assistance from the saddle. Retirement will have not dimmed his ultra-competitive spirit, that much is certain.

The race will be a massive draw for Doncaster and ATR, as well as a great money-raiser for the chosen charities, but whether it is a viable betting heat is questionable.

The 16 runners are all rated between 2lb of each other in a 68-70 bracket, for starters, and that in itself is enough to put me off, before you even factor in the competence of the jockeys.

However, Madrinho looks worth a small interest at 9.28/1 in the 14:30.

Venturous looks too short at around the 11-8 mark, and Elronaq would be my idea of the correct favourite.

But Madrinho is second best in here on official ratings and has run two solid races since winning at Ascot, his better effort coming when finishing a neck second to Tasleet, who subsequently finished second in the Richmond and won a valuable York sales race, at Newbury. If back in that form, he shouldn't be a 8-1+ poke here.

Cotai Glory is a worthy favourite at 4.57/2 in the 5f listed race at 15:00, but there isn't much juice in the price, and Kingsgate Native has been overlooked in the market at 17.533/2, even if he carries a 3lb penalty for his Haydock listed win back in May.

There is nothing new to tell you about this 10yo other than the fact that he would go very close if back in that kind of form and he steps back down to this level after not being beaten far in a Group 2 at Goodwood last time in a race that is working out pretty well.

A five-week rest should have freshened him up, and the old boy goes well off a break.

Innocently is potentially a very big price at 18.535/2 in the 16:45, if the cheekpieces liven him up as he has dropped down to a very workable mark. But whether he is in the form to exploit it is debatable, so no bet for me.

Nothing entices me in the 7f handicap at 16:10, and the nursery at 14:00, looks incredibly tough to call.

I think Show Legend is a fair price at 20.019/1 as an opening mark of 75 is fair judged on his placed efforts at Newmarket and Nottingham and the step up to 7f should suit, but I'll stop short of putting him up as a bet, particularly as he hasn't posted a time figure of any note.

It is a sorry state of affairs when a £20,000 conditions race can only attract only one entry at the 48-hour stage, as was the case with the 17:15, but at least two more horses were enticed in when the contest was re-opened.

But it is still a pretty unattractive betting heat, so I'll pass.

Back at 5pm tonight with Thursday's bets. Good luck today.


Recommended Bets

Back Madrinho at 9.28/1 in the 14:30 at Doncaster

Back Kingsgate Native at 17.533/2 in the 15:00 at Doncaster

Read Tony Calvin's tips on every day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster here