talkSPORT betting tips – Best bets and expert advice for Doncaster's St Leger Festival – Day three
09/13/2024 05:17 AM
Day three of the St Leger meeting is the big one, featuring the Classic itself along with a host of classy supporting races.
A field of seven will line up for the St Leger at 3.40, while there are also a couple of Group 2s on the card in the Champagne Stakes for two-year-olds (1.50) and Park Stakes over the same seven-furlong trip.
Our expert, Clive Gildon, has a trio of selections on the ITV races at Doncaster, including in the big one.
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets*
Racing tips
- 14:25 Doncaster – Cover Up @ 8/1
- 15:00 Doncaster – Lake Forest @ 9/2
- 15:40 Doncaster – You Got To Me @ 9/2
14:25 Doncaster – Cover Up
The Portland Handicap is a fast and furious race that will be over in little more than a minute. It is over the unusual distance of five and a half furlongs and the slight drop in trip could make all the difference to Cover Up.
This four-year-old took off on the all-weather early in the year, with his win at Newcastle in February being particularly strong form. He contested top six-furlong handicaps on his last three starts and each time has suggested he wants a bit less emphasis on stamina.
He travelled best in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood two runs ago and last time at York had to wait for a run behind horses. He got out, threatened and still had time to fade away.
Doncaster is kinder to horses played late, which is something else in Cover Up’s favour aside from the trip.
15:00 Doncaster – Lake Forest
The Park Stakes centres on Kinross, who won this race in his annus mirabilis in 2022. He is seven now and has looked like age might be catching up with him. He has not come close to his best in three runs so far.
On form this year, Poet Master and Lake Forest lead the way. The latter has the advantage of last move, as he has not yet run over this seven-furlong trip, which promises to suit him well.
Lake Forest came from a hopeless second to finish second in the six-furlong Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
He pulled a similar trick in the Hackwood Stakes last time over the same trip. He goes up in distance now and is expected to improve again for it.
15:40 Doncaster – You Got To Me
Give me £50,000 and I would spend it on an extension for my house. You Got To Me’s owners have spent the same money on adding her to the St Leger field via a supplementary fee, which is the expensive buy-in option for horses who weren’t entered for certain big races at the first time of asking.
It may seem a more frivolous purchase, but with nearly £80,000 going to the third-placed horse it should easily prove to be a wise investment. You Got To Me might even cop the £421,000 first prize.
This is not a strong St Leger. Aidan O’Brien thinks he can sweep it up with his C team. Illinois, Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square would all be expected to play second fiddle to City Of Troy or Los Angeles.
You Got To Me burst on to the scene when winning the Irish Oaks in July and has since enhanced her reputation by finishing second in the open-age Yorkshire Oaks.
She stays on like this longer trip will suit and she gets a 3lb weight allowance from the colts. In a race lacking in star quality, that concession could make the difference.
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets*
*all odds correct at time of writing and subject to change
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed
- GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org
