The St Leger Festival continues at Doncaster on Friday, with Caballo De Mar and Queenstown set to battle it out in the feature Doncaster Cup at 3pm; also on the card, Pershaada takes aim at the Flying Childers Stakes, up against the likes of Flann Sunna and Sale Shark. Caballo De Mar locks horns with Queenstown in the Doncaster Cup – live on Sky Sports Racing. A captivating renewal of the feature Group 2 Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes sees Caballo De Mer and Queenstown lock horns. George Scott saddles Caballo De Mer, who carries a Group 1 penalty after his Prix Vicomtesse Vigier success in May but sets a lofty target for his rivals to catch.
Not at his best when beaten favourite at York, his trainer reaches for the blinkers as he looks to regain the winning thread under Oisin Murphy. Aidan O’Brien’s Queenstown is a solid stayer who returned to the winners’ enclosure when claiming Group 3 honours at the Curragh and deserves a crack at this stronger grade. Three-year-old Windlay is a fascinating contender for Emmet Mullins, with William Buick in the plate. He has plenty of excellent form over hurdles and broke his maiden in a Ffos Las heat last month.
This is a huge step up in class, but he remains unexposed in this sphere and over these Cup distances. Berkshire Sundance ran a creditable race in the Chester Cup from a difficult draw and has since applied himself to a decent standards in competitive races at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. He has plenty to find stepping into Group company for the first time, but is not without a chance for Andrew Balding. A quality field 12 of has gathered for the Group 2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes where Pershaada is likely to head the betting.
The Richard Hannon-trained filly has been busy this season winning two of her six starts with the highlight being her impressive Molecomb victory. Down the field in the Nunthorpe, she will appreciate dropping back to her own age group and should be in the mix under Sean Levey. Sale Shark saw off Adonius to land the Listed Roses Stakes at York last month, reversing Goodwood form in the process. He has been a progressive sort and looks ready for a crack at this level.
Flann Sunna lost his unbeaten record at Goodwood, but given the manner of his first two wins, it would be foolish to rule him out. Donning the Wathnan colours, Final Objective will be looking to build on a promising effort when second to Arapaho Gold in the Gimcrack. James Doyle takes the ride on this son of Sioux Nation, who drops down to the minimum distance for the first time. See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing Godolphin pair Rock Montreal and Nabati clash in a competitive edition of this opening Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes.
Nabati showed an excellent attitude when landing skinny odds at Newmarket last month, taking his record to two wins from three runs. He heads up in class and might be suited by this extra furlong under William Buick. Rock Montreal is a live player for the Roger Varian team. A 1m guineas yearling, he burst onto the scene with a dominant success at Yarmouth and will be expected to build on that for a yard that took this prize last season.
Of the others, easy Salisbury debut winner Forbidden Fire makes most appeal, with the Karl Burke-trained Varzi also on the improve having tasted success at Pontefract the last day. Never miss a story with all the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more Friday’s Doncaster card also features the 1.50pm Betfred Leger Legends Classified Stakes, with some former weighing room favourites returning to the saddle. Derby winner Adam Kirby rides Caragio for himself, whilst Tom Scudamore gets aboard Bella Bisbee.
Staying on Town Moor, the British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (3.35pm) sees Silver Lake and Salamanca City face off before York winner Henley On Thames takes on Tumishi in the 4.45pm Tanbry Construction Nursery Handicap. At Chester, Hugo Palmer fields course specialist Roman Dragon alongside stablemate Tricky Tel in the feature Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap. On the continent at Saint-Cloud, The Odyssey and Regal Chime aim for Listed honours in the Prix Turenne.
