Dual Group 1 winner Caballo De Mar will be partnered by Oisin Murphy as he bids to regain the winning thread in the £165,000 Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (G2) on Friday.
George Scott’s 5-year-old won the Qatar Prix du Cadran (G1) in France last year, before adding a second Group 1 to his CV at Longchamp again in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (G1) earlier this season.
Aidan O’Brien has not won the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes since 2008. His sole contestant in this year’s renewal, Queenstown, is a fascinating contender after the 6-year-old made an impressive winning seasonal return at the Curragh last month.
The booking of William Buick aboard the Emmet Mullins-trained Winday catches the eye for a yard known for being particularly shrewd. The Paul Byrne-owned 3-year-old recently recorded a first career win on his first start back under the care of Mullins, who he has rejoined after departing French trainer Mickael Seror.
Epic Poet represents local trainer David O’Meara and will step up to 2m2f for the first time. Beylerbeyi posted an encouraging effort when fifth in the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at York last time out, and he has winning form to his name over this trip and at this track.
Ascending finished narrowly ahead of the Ian Williams runner in that prestigious 1m6f handicap, and that was a return to form from a horse who won at Royal Ascot last year.
This represents a step up in class for Berkshire Sundance who was runner-up to an emphatic winner at Glorious Goodwood last time. Three-race maiden Peace Belle completes the lineup.
Twelve declarations have been received for the £125,000 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (G2), including Group 3 scorer Pershaada.
Richard Hannon Jr. has won this race three times courtesy of Beacon (2014), Gutaifan (2015) and Trillium (2022). His Middleham Park Racing-owned filly drops back into her own age company this Friday, after contesting the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) when last seen.
Sale Shark returned to winning ways in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) at York last month. The Manor House Stables-owned colt finished fourth behind Pershaada in the Veuve Clicquot Molecomb Stakes (G3) when the pair met at Glorious Goodwood.
Flann Sunna’s hat-trick bid was foiled at Glorious Goodwood last month, but the drop in trip to 5f for the first time looks an intriguing move by connections.
The eight-race card kicks off with the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes headlined by the Godolphin duo Nabati and Rock Montreal who face off at 1:15pm. The 7f Listed contest also features unbeaten Forbidden Fire who made a striking impression on debut at Salisbury.
The Pertemps Network Handicap brings the second day of the Betfred St Leger Festival to a close at 5:20pm.
