Doncaster Review

The unbeaten Musical Times provided the highlight on day one of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster on Thursday. Godolphin's filly had won twice over seven furlongs at Newmarket and Yarmouth during the summer. Off the track for 70 days, the daughter of Lope De Vega relished the step up to a mile in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes annihilating ten opponents by upwards of seven and a half lengths. Charlie Appleby's runner travelled strongly in behind the leaders until taking charge over a furlong out. Pulling clear inside the final 150 yards, it was a spectacular display by a high-class juvenile. Her trainer suggested afterwards that the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket (9th October) will be her next target and it will take a very good filly to deny her making it four of four.

Top 40 entry Prizeland ran creditably in the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes earlier on the card. Andrew Balding's filly had impressed when winning the Listed Galtres Stakes at York last month and was well supported here. Having moved well in behind the leaders, the daughter of Territories held every chance but didn't quicken inside the final furlong. Beaten around four lengths in fourth, she left the impression the longer trip stretched her stamina. Despite this defeat, she remains of interest in the Group 1 Qipco Champions Fillies & Mares' at Ascot on champions day (17th October). 

The Roger Varian trained Knights Charge narrowly missed out on his handicap debut in the ten furlongs event for three year olds. Featured in the Maidens In Waiting section in AOTF, the Lucky Vega colt won novice events at Lingfield and Nottingham during the spring before being absent for 114 days. Keen during the early stages, Shane Foley's mount moved into contention along the far rail. Once seeing daylight, he quickened up to lead only to get headed in the dying strides by top weight Bourbon Blues. Beaten a head, he would have preferred a stronger gallop in a race which turned into a sprint. He remains a promising youngster capable of winning something similar and has aspirations of competing at a higher level next term.

Elsewhere, Sytadel was highlighted as a novice hurdler to keep an eye on in the York Ebor Update. Whilst interviewing Dan Skelton for One Jump Ahead, the champion trainer suggested that the ex-French gelding may prove above average. Despite the fact the four year old only finished second on his jumping debut at Worcester on Thursday, it was a most encouraging display. A ten furlongs winner on the Flat in his native country, he had been absent for 492 days and raced enthusiastically during the first half a mile. Jumping neatly throughout, Harry Skelton's mount loomed up travelling well approaching the third last. The lack of a recent run appeared to take its toll after the penultimate flight eventually finishing five lengths behind Lock Stock with sixteen lengths back to the third. It won't be long before the City Light gelding goes one better.

Talking of One Jump Ahead, I have received news of an exciting new addition to champion owner J.P.McManus team of novice hurdlers. Expect to see him if feature in the ante-post lists for the Cheltenham Festival novice hurdles. 

Nine times Broadcaster of the Year and my Racing TV colleague Nick Luck has penned his Foreword for OJA. The next few days will be spent proof reading the book before taking it to the printers early next week. 

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