Massive weekend of racing with millions on the line – your complete guide to all the action

3 months ago 19

PUNTERS are gearing up for a massive weekend of racing – with seven Group 1s and nine Group 2s to get the heart pumping.

The best of the top-class action kicks off at Doncaster on Thursday with the Group 2 May Hill (3.00) for two-year-old fillies run over a mile.

a jockey riding a horse with the number 2 on it

Centre stage, Charlie Appleby’s Desert Flower is set to take on Aidan O’Brien’s January.

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On form, Appleby’s unbeaten filly comes out top and is currently hovering at 16-1 in next year’s 1,000 Guineas market.

Some 35 minutes later we are treated to another Group 2 – the one mile six furlong Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (3.35).

Hughie Morrison’s Mistral Star is one to watch as she steps down in grade after an impressive fourth in the Yorkshire Oaks last month.

As per usual, pesky Irish raider O’Brien could put up some tough competition with Port Fairy, who won the Group 2 Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.

On Friday there are two more Group 2s at Donny, starting with the five furlong sprint, the Flying Childers (3.00).

Michael Appleby is hoping his speedball’s got his mojo back for this one.

Big Mojo is 7-2 fav after bolting up at Glorious Goodwood, but didn’t have much luck at York last time out.

Next up, the 2m2f Howard Wright Doncaster Cup (3.35) is jam packed with old favs.

Coltrane, Gregory and Sweet William look like they will all be showing up for a shot at the Group 2 marathon.

Of these, Gosdens’ good old Sweet William has some strong credentials, having come second and third in his last two races – both Group 1s.

And Hollie Doyle’s all set to be back on her old pal Trueshan.

Alan King’s superstar stayer launched her into the limelight into the Group 1 winners club the Goodwood Cup two years ago.

Saturday means it’s time to clear the calendar, prep your snacks and give in to the couch potato lifestyle for one of the biggest weekends of the season.

Most importantly, it’s the £800,000 St Leger (3.45), live on ITV1.

The 1m6f race is one of the five British Classic races – and the final of the year.

Aidan O’Brien has monopolised the market with Illinois, Jan Brueghel, Grosvenor Square and Los Angeles all entered – although the latter is definitely more likely to go for the Irish Champion Stakes on the same day.

But Ralph Beckett on Monday supplemented You Got To Me who most recently came second in the Yorkshire Oaks and has shot to second fav at 11-2 with some bookies.

We’ve also got David Menuisier’s Sunway.

The Frenchman is long overdue a win at the top level after hitting the crossbar multiple times this season.

More Donny action includes the seven furlong Group 2 Champagne Stakes (1.50), where Charlie Appleby’s Aomori City could head the market.

And another 7f Group 2 – the Park Stakes (3.00), where Ralph Beckett’s Kinross could try to re-claim some of last season’s form.

Karl Burke’s well bred Poet Master has been entered and could be one to watch too, having only been beaten twice in his seven starts.

On the other side of the pond Leapardstown is putting up an absolutely whopping €1 million for the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (3.25) over 1m2f on Saturday.

William Haggas’s Economics is unbeaten in his two Group 2s this season, but has yet to have a stab at the top level.

His main rival, the O’Brien-trained Auguste Rodin flopped when last seen and is on another rebound mission.

Can the English up-and-comer de-throne the Ballydoyle boss’ tried and tested, but temperamental, machine?

And there’s MORE Group 1 action at the Irish track with the Fillies and Mares Matron Stakes (2.50) over a mile.

The O’Brien clan continue to dominate the betting – this time with youngest son Donnacha O’Brien throwing his best horse, hot fav Porta Fortuna, into the mix.

O’Brien senior has entered some big names including Opera Singer and Ylang Ylang – although the former is almost certain to run in France on the weekend.

This year’s 1000 Guineas winner Elamalka could also be back in action.

Two more Group 2s are also worth tuning in for – the Champion’s Juvenile Stakes (1.40) and the Solonaway Stakes (2.15), both over a mile.

The Group 3 Kilternan Stakes (4.00) will round off the day’s black type contests.

This week’s racing whirlwind rounds off on Sunday at the Curragh, where no less than four Group 1s are on the cards.

First off is the 5f sprint, the Flying Five (3.00) which is looking like a potential Nunthorpe rematch.

Archie Watson’s Navesmire winner Bradsell is heading the betting, closely following by George Boughey’s Believing, who finished a close second behind him at York.

The 7f Moyglare Stakes (3.35) for the best fillies is next, with O’Brien’s Bedtime Story possibly the one to beat.

The Ballydoyle behemoth also has the leading contender in the 7f Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4.10) – the unbeaten Henri Matisse.

And last but absolutely not least is the 1m6f Irish St Leger (4.45).

Gold Cup king Kyprios is the big favourite but Marco Botti’s Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto will look to steal his crown in a race that has been his target all season.

And good action continues at Doncaster too – with several big betting handicaps on as well as a Group 3.