Saturday 10th September 2016

St Leger day at Doncaster this afternoon, this oldest and the last classic of the season. The wet weather is apparently going to miss Doncaster; that's good news as genuine good ground will make it a level playing field.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien looks to hold all the aces; he could easily have the first three home. Idaho is the horse to beat but he’s very short in the betting. A watching brief for me.

The only horse in the UK I’ve backed today is Mr Quicksilver in the 4:55 at Bath, priced at 11-2. This good looking grey is running into form for his new trainer Ed Walker and a win doesn’t look far away. Mr Quicksilver would have gone very close at Haydock last time out but missed the break. He canted into contention but ran out of gas in the final furlong due to making so much distance up from the off.

A sharper racecourse like Bath should really suit Mr Quicksilver and this race doesn’t look the strongest of 0-80’s. It’s a shame we don’t have any proper EW terms due to none runners but Mr Quicksilver should go well, note he doesn’t want the rain.

The best of the racing today takes place across the Irish sea at Leopardstown, Irish Champions day. The Qipco Champion Stakes is the feature at 6:45 and what a race it is.

Dual Derby Winner Harzand and the best filly we’ve seen for a long time Minding, take each other on. Both have questions marks against them though. Harzand the trip, might be on the sharp side whilst this is the best race Minding has ever ran in and she takes on the boys for the first time.

My two against the field for a bit of interest only would be Found and Hawkbill priced at 11-1 & 16-1 EW. Connections reported Found needed the run at York when 2^nd in the Yorkshire Oaks. All ground comes the same to this filly and she should have genuine place claims at a decent price.

The going was too quick for Hawkbill at York and he can be forgiven that effort, his Eclipse form puts Hawkbill in with a shout.