The four day 2023 St Leger Festival at Doncaster commenced yesterday on advertised going of Soft (6.3) on the Going Stick. This is the Softest going for the start of any St Leger Festival for the past 10 years. Although this might sound great for all the Soft ground favouring horses, it should be noted that the ground for this Festival during that period has generally been quite good (in relation to some of the overwatered conditions at other tracks this year). The winning times yesterday were more in line with Good To Soft times, with the Straight Course riding 14 lengths per mile slower than standard, and the Round Course riding 15 lengths per mile slower than standard. With not much rain predicted over the next few days, conditions could be a bit quicker than expected for some of those horses that really like to get their hoof in.

Sumo Sam (112) won the Group 2 Betfred Park Hill Fillies Stakes over the extended 14 furlongs in a time that equalled Par. The eventual winner looked to have gone off at a very fast pace (Race Finish 100.89%), and appeared to be at the opposition’s mercy in the home straight. However, despite racing with a slightly high head carriage when challenged, Paul & Oliver Cole’s game 3yo filly kept finding more, and handled conditions better than the opposition. Going forward the Group 1 Prix Royailleau over 14 furlongs at Longchamp on Arc Weekend could be her next challenge, where she would need to step up again on form.

Karl Burke took the Group 2 Betfred May Hill Stakes for 2yo fillies with Darnation (103) who was stepping up in class and distance from her 7f Group 3 win at Goodwood on similar ground. The 5/2 favourite raced more prominently this time, and after travelling well throughout the race took up the running at the 2 furlong pole. Despite hanging right she was able to keep the only serious challenger See The Fire at bay, and had 3 lengths to spare at the line. It would appear that Soft ground brings out the best in her, and she is entered in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend where the expected soft ground should play to her strengths.

Room Service (106) took the £300,000 2yo Weatherbys Scientific Stakes earlier on the card for trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Tom Eaves. The field split into two groups, with the eventual winner held up in rear on the far side group from his draw in stall (1). Despite edging right all the way across the track when hitting the front over a furlong and a half out, the winner had 2 1/4 lengths to spare at the line over the runner up Dragon Leader. A step up to Pattern company looks worth a try after this display.

The other races on the card saw no huge performances on the clock with Rathbone (105), Chic Colombine (98), Maximilian Caesar (107), In The Breeze (96), and Double Jump (103) taking their respective races.

Best of luck with today’s card,

Graham