We’re set fair for a bumper week of flat racing with the St Leger Festival beginning on Wednesday at Doncaster for four days with the final and oldest Classic of the season the highlight, on Saturday. Irish Champions Weekend features 6 Group 1’s across Saturday and Sunday, with the first day at Leopardstown and the second at the Curragh. There is also Arc Trials Day at Longchamp on Sunday, building up to the big weekend itself in October.
Trainers
- Ed Walker – A stable on the crest of a wave at the moment, operating at an impressive 38% strike rate last week, including a 37/1 double at Ascot on Saturday. Has just one entry at Brighton on Monday where he has a 17% strike rate in the past five years.
- Hugo Palmer – 8 winners from just 21 runners last week, which included a four-timer on Friday with a treble at Kempton. Even more noteworthy when he books Ben Curtis and James Doyle (who ride for him fairly regularly) as they have 46% and 27% success rate respectively.
- Archie Watson – 35% strike rate last week from just 17 runners. Has some nice young horses and Soldier’s Call would be one of his to keep an eye on.
Jockeys
- Oisin Murphy – Confidence is always rising and he’s riding incredibly well, winning jockey of the month for August. He added another 11 winners to his tally last week.
- James Doyle – He’s been a man in demand this season and for good reason, an incredible 40% strike rate last week. He went over to France on Sunday for a pair of rides and won on both. Will no doubt be used plenty at Doncaster and in Ireland.
- Jim Crowley – Retained rider for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum rode an impressive 8 winners from just 20 rides last week. No doubt his boss will have a number of good chances at the weeks big meetings.
Horses
- Pilaster – Unexposed filly who has won her last 3 and relished the step up to a staying distance last time, beating a subsequent winner. Entered in the Park Hill at Doncaster on Thursday for a yard and jockey who do very well there.
- Ben Vrackie – Lightly raced, well-bred colt for John Gosden who was beaten by a way above average filly in a Group 3 last time. Looks to be on a potentially good mark for handicaps and could run in the 3pm at Doncaster on Friday.
- Tocco D’Amore – Seriously impressive winner of both starts and was a potential Oaks contender but hasn’t been seen on the track since November 2017. Doubly entered in Ireland this weekend and could still be a class act.
- Hit The Bid – Useful sprinter who ran some huge races in Dubai, made his comeback last month and should come on bundles for it. Can run a big race in the Flying Five at the Curragh on Sunday.
