John & Thady Gosden hold a strong hand in this Thursday’s £150,000 Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (G2), with Clarehaven Stables responsible for four of the eleven declared runners.
John Gosden is looking for a sixth win in this 1m6f event, having won it with the likes of Gretchen (2015) and more recently Free Wind (2021).
He has declared the top-rated Danielle, who currently heads the betting at 7/2f, alongside the consistent Crepe Suzette, unexposed Zilfee and Queens Fort who will be making a belated seasonal debut in this under William Buick.
Sir Mark Prescott’s Consent has not finished out of the first two in any of her four career starts. She steps up to 1m6f for the first time after finishing runner-up in this grade in France last time out.
The William Haggas yard are in red hot form, though have surprisingly never won the Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes before. Santorini Star drops back in trip in this for Somerville Lodge on Thursday, after winning a competitive 2m handicap at York last time. She will be joined by stablemate Chorus for owners Fittocks Stud.
The Irish have only won one renewal of this race since 2000, but are doubly represented this year. Paddy Twomey’s exciting Elana Osario is improving and chasing a hat-trick, while Floresta posted a career-best when she was deeply impressive in ‘Listed’ company last time out.
A quality field of 9 have been declared for the Betfred May Hill Stakes (G2), worth £120,000. The Cheveley Park Stud-owned Moon Target lost her unbeaten record last time when beaten less than a length in the Prestige Fillies’ Stakes (G3) but brings the best form into this. She will be joined by Charlie Johnston’s Venetian Lace and Karl Burke’s Aylin who finished behind her at Goodwood.
A full field of 22 have been declared for the Weatherby’s Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes. This is the richest race on the opening day of the Betfred St Leger Festival and it has been subsequently well supported with Aidan O’Brien’s Brussels likely to head the betting. Oliver Cole’s Jel Pepper should also be given maximum respect given his form in pattern company on his last two starts.
Racing gets underway at 1:15pm, with the final race of the first day of the Betfred St Leger Festival set to go off at 5:15pm. The going is currently described as Good to Soft.
About Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse is a Group 1 racecourse and one of the oldest racecourses for horse racing in Britain, typically hosting 37 race fixtures per year. Home of the prestigious Betfred St Leger Festival in September, this is the leading sporting occasion of the Autumn calendar and an event that draws thousands of expectant racegoers from far and wider the experience the historic racing moment.
Outside of racing, Doncaster Racecourse is renowned for hosting exceptional corporate events and conferences, weddings, private parties, and the infamous 'Christmas Live' Christmas party nights.
For further information please contact:
Sam Cone, Arena Racing Company on 07920 404296 or SCone@arenaracingcompany.co.uk
Hugo Barran, JSC Communications on 07786 913215 or hugo@jsccomms.co.uk
