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Doncaster’s St Leger Festival kicks off with a seven-race card headlined by the Leger Legends Stakes – a relatively new introduction to the Town Moor programme. Racing fans get the chance to watch some riding legend of bygone days as they dust off their breeches and return to action in this charity event.
St Leger Day 1 Betting Tips & Predictions
The St Leger Festival gets underway at Doncaster (1.10pm-4.15pm) on Wednesday afternoon. Four days of thrilling action on Town Moor await. The Sceptre Stakes (3.15pm) is the main dish on day one and our tipster has selections for all seven races below.
You can watch all the Doncaster action via live streaming when logged into MansionBet, alongside every race from the UK and Ireland.
1.10 – British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (1m)
An opening maiden in which only two of the protagonists have seen the racecourse previously. Frankel colt LATEST GENERATION is one of those and his Sandown third reads as being good form based on the pair he chased home. Simon & Ed Crisford remain in sold form and, with normal improvement, he’s got standout claims. Mohaafeth cost 350,000 gns and is also by Frankel, he joins Royal Champion in being very much worth a close look on debut.
Tip: Latest Generation @ SP
13.40 – bet365 Nursery (7f)
The likes of Gumdrop, Ataser and Mayaas have strong claims on their achievements to date, while Concessions is likely much better than we saw at Sandown last time. Equally, there was plenty of merit in AL WATAN’s debut at Newbury in June. The Dubawi colt was disappointing in fifth at Chelmsford soon after (favourite) but that form has worked out nicely enough. He may bounce back and is a decent price for Saeed bin Suroor if doing so.
Tip: Al Watan @ 12/1
2.10 – bet365 Scarbrough Stakes (Listed, 5f)
This looks a strong renewal of a race that typically requires a good horse to prevail. Dakota Gold has been right back in form recently and a big threat, while Johnny Murtagh sends over Urban Beat from Ireland and he needs respecting with Frankie Dettori booked. Preference is for Nunthorpe third MOSS GILL. That York run was an excellent effort from off a fast pace and he makes strong appeal dropping out of Group 1 company.
Tip: Moss Gill @ 11/4
2.40 – Mondialiste Leger Legends Classified Stakes (1m)
Not the Leger Legends race we have come to expect. The current restrictions and protocols dictate that only serving professionals can take part so the old-timers miss out. Frankie Dettori isn’t amongst the latter brigade just yet but he’s certainly a ‘legend’ and ROCA MAGICA can give him a good spin for trainer Ed Dunlop. She’s been in good fettle this summer and the return to 1m will suit. Similar claims are held by Richard Hannon’s In The Cove, who isn’t badly treated and has won this summer already.
Tip: Roca Magica @ 9/1
3.15 – bet365 Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3, 7f)
Having raced previously in this grade is always a benefit and ALTHIQA ticks the boxes for trainer Charlie Appleby ahead of the Group 3 Sceptre Stakes. She was a Listed winner in France back in July and her subsequent outings in Group 3s at Glorious Goodwood and Deauville bode well. She can enhance the excellent record of three-year-olds in this event. Martyn Meade’s Lyzbeth is one with an each-way shout coming back up in distance.
Tip: Althiqa @ 11/2
3.45 – Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap (1m2f)
Probably the toughest puzzle to solve on day one, this is a wide open handicap over 1m2f. Caradoc, Derevo and Data Protection all need maximum respect but from the foot of the weights a chance goes to STRAIT OF HORMUZ. He’s raised his game since joining Jedd O’Keeffe and finished second in a tactically-run Chester contest last month on his first attempt at this trip. From just 1lb higher, he has clear scope for better and is unexposed at the distance.
Tip: Strait Of Hormuz @ 7/1
4.15 – Parkes Bros Roofing Contractors Handicap (5f)
QUEEN’S ORDER did herself no favours leaving the starting gates at York last time and can be forgiven that run. Her earlier showings at that venue and Pontefract previously had suggested she was coming to the boil nicely. Dropped in grade and with Danny Tudhope back in the plate, a big run should be forthcoming. The veteran Line Of Reason is in super form and a big player, while Eeh Bah Gum also took a step in the right direction at Thirsk recently.
Tip: Queen’s Order @ SP
*All odds correct at time of writing
Preview of Day 1 of the St Leger Festival
First run in 2010, the Leger Legends race is the only British charity race for ex-professional jockeys and the 2015 renewal was won by the legend himself – Sir Anthony McCoy – on Gannicus for trainer Brendan Powell.
The Leger Legends race has quickly established itself as a part of the autumn experience at Doncaster and its charitable basis ensures it retains popularity. Some of the riders may be beyond their peak years; but the old competitive edge soon kicks in and this race is one the older generation are keen to appear in.
There’s also some top-class action on day one of the St Leger Festival via the Group 3 Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes for the Classic generation and the Listed Scarbrough Stakes for the juveniles.
The Scarbrough Stakes over 5f has been won by some high-class sprinters in recent times, with Group 1 winners Sole Power and Mecca’s Angel on the honours list.
MansionBet players can watch every race from Doncaster’s St Leger Festival via live streaming when logged into MansionBet UK.
The opening day programme in full is below.
| TIME | RACE | DISTANCE | CONDITIONS/PRIZEMONEY |
| 1.10pm | British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes | 1m | 2YO £30,000.00 |
| 1.40pm | Doncaster Nursery Handicap Stakes | 7f | 2YO £15,000.00 |
| 2.10pm | Scarbrough Stakes (Listed Race) | 5f | 2YO+ £30,000.00 |
| 2.40pm | Leger Legends Classified Stakes | 1m | 3YO+ £10,000.00 Rating 0-70 |
| 3.15pm | Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 3YO+ £50,000.00 |
| 3.45pm | Handicap Stakes | 1m2f | 3YO+ £25,000.00 Rating 86-105 |
| 4.15pm | Handicap Stakes | 5f | 3YO+ £8,050.00 Rating 66-85 |
St Leger Festival Day 1: Leger Legends Day Racecard September 9th 2020
A look at the make-up of the opening afternoon at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival with information on all seven races and some previous winners of the feature events.
Race 1 – 1.10pm – BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (1m)
A valuable new maiden for two-year-olds this is likely to attract some late-blossoming juveniles from the top yards like John Gosden, Richard Hannon and Charlie Appleby. There’s a good pot to be won and we might see something smart with Classic aspirations for 2021.
Race 2 – 1.40pm – DONCASTER NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (7f)
A seven-furlong nursery contest on what is routinely regarded as one of Britain’s fairest flat tracks, this gives the two-year-olds a chance to experience the straight-seven on Town Moor and it can prove a vital learning curve.
| YEAR | WINNER | TRAINER | JOCKEY | ODDS |
| 2019 | Bravo Faisal | Richard Fahey | Paul Hanagan | 10/1 |
| 2018 | Arctic Sound | Mark Johnston | James Doyle | 4/1 |
| 2017 | Nobleman’s Nest | Simon Crisford | Silvestre De Sousa | 5/2fav |
Race 3 – 2.10pm – SCARBROUGH STAKES (Listed, 5f)
The Listed Scarbrough Stakes is a quality five-furlong dash for horses aged two-years and up. It tends to attract a mixture of young pretenders and established sprinters. Nunthorpe winners Sole Power and Mecca’s Angel have landed the prize in recent times.
| YEAR | WINNER | TRAINER | JOCKEY | ODDS |
| 2019 | Equilateral | Charles Hills | Ryan Moore | 9/4 |
| 2018 | Global Applause | Robert Cowell | Gerald Mosse | 2/1fav |
| 2017 | Encore D’Or | Robert Cowell | Ryan Moore | 13/2 |
Race 4 – 2.40pm – LEGER LEGENDS CLASSIFIED STAKES (1m)
A really enjoyable addition to the Doncaster programme, the Leger Legends race allows some of the greats of the game to climb back into the saddle in the name of charity and gives fans a chance to see these heroes go at it again on the Town Moor turf.
| YEAR | WINNER | TRAINER | JOCKEY | ODDS |
| 2019 | Dubai Acclaim | Richard Fahey | Sammy Jo Bell | 5/1 |
| 2018 | Central City | Ian Williams | Ted Durcan | 10/1 |
| 2017 | Off Art | Tim Easterby | Brian Harding | 5/1 |
Race 5 – 3.15pm – SCEPTRE FILLIES’ STAKES (Group 3, 7f)
The Group 3 Sceptre Stakes is a 7f contest for fillies and mares aged three-years and up, named in honour of the 1902 St Leger heroine Sceptre – the only horse ever to win four British Classics!
| YEAR | WINNER | TRAINER | JOCKEY | ODDS |
| 2019 | Breathtaking Look | Stuart Williams | Jim Crowley | 20/1 |
| 2018 | Dancing Star | Andrew Balding | Oisin Murphy | 7/2 |
| 2017 | Music Box | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | 8/1 |
Race 6 – 3.45pm – HANDICAP STAKES (1m2f)
A decent handicap for horses aged three-years and up, this has a ceiling rating of 105 and victory in this could see a horse harbouring ambitions of graduating into pattern-race company.
| YEAR | WINNER | TRAINER | JOCKEY | ODDS |
| 2019 | Davydenko | Sir Michael Stoute | Ryan Moore | 11/10fav |
| 2018 | Another Eclipse | David Simcock | Andrea Atzeni | 11/2 |
| 2017 | Euginio | Richard Hannon | Andrea Atzeni | 11/4 |
Race 7 – 4.15pm – HANDICAP STAKES (5f)
Another rapid-fire sprint to conclude day one of the St Leger Festival, no hanging around here with a straight five-furlongs to negotiate.
| YEAR | WINNER | TRAINER | JOCKEY | ODDS |
| 2019 | Dark Shadow | Clive Cox | Adam Kirby | 20/1 |
| 2018 | Saaheq | Mick Appleby | David Egan | 7/2jfav |
| 2017 | Somewhere Secret | Michael Mullineaux | Phil Dennis | 11/1 |
Betting on St Leger Festival Day 1 with MansionBet
Look out for MansionBet’s special offers and promotions for the St Leger Festival at Doncaster. We’ll have extra-place races, best odds guaranteed, new customer offers and our Beaten by a Head or Less money-back offer on selected races.
Also be sure to check out our blog’s St Leger section for daily tipping advice from our racing experts and brand ambassador Hayley Turner on the St Leger Day 1 racecard.
