Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: St Leger Festival Day 3 Tips
Doncaster 1.45 – Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
Desert Castle (EVS fav) looks a very smart prospect.
He’s a son of Frankel and is from a very smart family, nicely bred and with enough ability and class to follow his siblings into black type company. He’s stepping up in grade from winning his maiden by over three lengths at Newmarket. Billy Loughnane was on him that day and will ride him again. I think this is a pretty smart horse.
Typically, this race does cut up; it’s happened once again and it’s a real shame. But Desert Castle looks a classy prospect and Charlie Appleby and Godolphin had a pretty smart filly winning earlier in the week.
Megan’s Tip: Desert Castle WIN
Doncaster 2.20 – Portland (Heritage Handicap)
I’m going with Toca Madera (11/1).
He has been running very well throughout this season – often in a similar type of grade and race.
He’s been in the places on so many occasions. He’s a solid horse, is about 11/1 and this is a race with plenty of runners, so it’s worth looking for a bit of value.
He’s sensibly priced and pretty trustworthy and consistent for a sprinter. I think he’ll be there or thereabouts once again.
Megan’s Tip: Toca Madera WIN
Doncaster 2.55 – Park Stakes (Group 2)
I find it so hard to look away from More Thunder (11/10 fav).
It hasn't quite happened for him this season but he's got so close on so many occasions.
I just wish he would race that little bit closer to the pace in the main part of the race. He gets dropped in and he gets ridden with cover, which is fine. If he could just be a few places closer to the pace, he would finish so well.
More Thunder’s settled nowadays and doesn’t need to be dropped that far in if he’s ridden a bit more prominently.
He’s got the class and is the class angle here. He’s ultimately pretty consistent and, even when things haven’t gone right, he’s still been flashing home. I’m going to stick with him.
I’m sure he’s going to be winning at some point this season. Hopefully it’ll be on this occasion.
Megan’s Tip: More Thunder WIN
Doncaster 3.35 – St Leger Stakes (Group 1)
I’m going to go Pierre Bonnard (11/4), who might not be the obvious selection but I just think he’s been crying out for this distance.
He’s looked once-paced, or lacked a gear, on a couple of occasions but I don’t think he’s short of stamina.
Stepping up in, hopefully, a nice evenly run race should really suit him. He’s shown that he’s got class and ability – it just hasn’t quite happened yet.
This is a good opportunity for him to have a go at this extra distance and prove himself as a thorough stayer.
Megan’s Tip: Pierre Bonnard WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
