St Leger Festival SmartPlays: Wednesday September 10

Our first bet on Wednesday runs in the opening race of the 2014 St Leger meeting as Salateen (14:00) enters nursery company on the back of a good fifth in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York. Salateen had shown run-to-run progress prior to York, impressing with a smooth seven-length maiden success at Chester, and he backed up that performance with a highly-creditable effort in the Acomb, travelling better than most but unable to quicken in the closing stages. The fast time gives some substance to the form, and it is possible that Salateen will continue to progress. He isn't obviously well treated on his nursery bow but his good attitude and experience at a higher level will count for plenty and a bold bid is on the cards.

Our strongest bet at Doncaster runs in the minor event at 16:10 as Clon Brulee brings a solid set of credentials to the table in a race where many of his rivals arrive out of form. Clon Brulee was progressive last term, winning three times in handicap company, including at this meeting, and he has continued on an upward curve for his new connections, impressing with a wide-margin win at Newmarket before backing it up with an excellent third in a competitive handicap at Sandown. Clon Brulee actually shaped better than the bare result at Sandown, making his move in a strongly-run race ahead of the pair that beat him, and a reproduction of that performance could make him tricky to beat. The booking of Ryan Moore is the icing on the cake and Clon Brulee looks banker material.

Marmoom looked awkward under pressure when disappointing at Newmarket on his penultimate start, but he quickly got back on track, looking a much more straightforward proposition in the process, when winning at the same venue, and he has an excellent chance in the seven-furlong handicap at 16:45. In hindsight, rock-hard ground was probably behind Marmoom's flop and, if you overlook that performance, he comes here boasting a progressive profile, still feasibly treated off a mark of 86. He has everything in his favour this afternoon and should go close. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
All at Doncaster

Back Salateen @ 4.03/1 in the 14:00
Back Clon Brulee @ 2.6413/8 in the 16:10
Back Marmoom @ 5.24/1 in the 16:45