Doncaster St. Leger meeting: day three

Doncaster continues with another strong card headed by three Group Two races, the main event being the Doncaster Cup over 2 1/4 miles at 15.40 CET, the last of the so-called "cup races" over long distances. Most of the runners are familiar friends as they run repeatedly in these events and the two to concentrate on are Estimate (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), a Monsun filly owned by the Queen and CD specialist Times Up (Ed Dunlop/ William Buick), winner of this race for the past two years. They met last time at York where Estimate finished strongly to be runner-up with Times Up well held in third and we expect the Queen´s filly to confirm that form; she had earlier also been runner-up in the Gold Cup, a race she won last year, and has beaten most of these at one time or other. She can be excused a poor run at Goodwood, a track that does not suit her and we expect her to score today, although Times Up, at his favourite track, should not be underestimated.

Another Group Two is the May Hill Stakes for 2yo fillies over a mile at 16.15. Godolphin has won this for the past 4 years but has no runner today. However there could still be a Maktoum winner as Sheikh Hamdan´s Muraaqaba (Mark Johnston/ Paul Hanagan) is the likely favourite after winning the German-sponsored Sweet Solera, a race which is usually a good guide to this. However we feel that this year´s edition was not quite as strong and prefer Irish raider Agnes Stewart (Eddie Lynam/ Willie Lee), runner-up last time to a smart performer at Leopardstown in a race whose form is working out much better. The well-bred Shagah (Richard Hannon/ Frankie Dettori) seems to have been overlooked here and could be an interesting each-way bet at a big price.

The card opens with the Group Two Flying Childers for 3yo´s over 5 furlongs at 14.40. Some very speedy types are entered here, including two fancied Irish runners of which the unbeaten filly Ainippe (Ger Lyons/ Andrea Atzeni) is probably the better. However the clear form choice has to be Ahlan Emeratti (Peter Chapple-Hyam/ Jimmy Fortune) who has been running well in the top juvenile races.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Cotai Glory - Ainippe - Ahlan Emarati
2. Race: Adventure Seeker - Stomachion - Elidor
3. Race: Estimate - Times Up - Whiplash Willie
4. Race: Muraaqaba - Agnes Stewart - Alonsoa
5. Race: Danzeno - Badr Al Badoor - Sir Reginald
6. Race: Nafaqa - White Lake - Toocoolforschool
7. Race: Enobled - Loving Home - Innsbruck