3.00pm Doncaster Tips & Betting Preview 07/09/2016

The feature race on the first day of Doncaster’s St Leger meeting is a Listed contest over 5f. Our betting tips focus on an improving filly who ran a big race at York last month. Read our race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Muthmir, who won a Group 2 and was placed in the Abbaye at Longchamp in 2015, is respected but THESME is a fast-improving filly and gets the nod. Nigel Tinkler’s 4yo is yet to taste victory this season but she was in the front rank throughout before finishing a very creditable fifth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York last month and will find this race easier. Priceless was a shade disappointing when last in action but went close in two valuable 6f Newmarket handicaps in July and looks interesting on her first attempt at 5f. If this race is strongly run, expect Pearl Secret and Line Of Reason to appear late on the scene.

1 Line Of Reason – Placed in a very competitive York handicap (5.5f, good to firm) last month and didn’t get the best of runs when close sixth in a Beverley Listed race (5f, good) ten days later; reliant on a strong gallop and some luck but has the ability to pose a threat from off the pace.

2 Muthmir – Won the Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last summer and wasn’t beaten far when defending his crown in that event this year; comes here after a close third in a Beverley Listed race (5f, good) just 11 days ago and goes on the shortlist.

3 Pearl Secret – Usually finishes strongly and landed a Group 2 at Haydock (5f, good) in spring 2015; unable to land a significant blow in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York last month but has been competitive at the highest level and is a potential danger to all if others set a fast pace.

4 Taexali – Made late headway to take never-dangerous fourth in a Sandown Group 3 (5f, soft) in July but is probably flattered by the bare form and has finished well down the field in two subsequent handicaps; faces very tough assignment today.

5 Demora – Failed to make a splash in her three runs in Dubai in early 2016 but gamely won a Bath Listed event (5f, soft) when back in Britain in April; also suited by this C&D (fourth in this race in 2014) but has a bit to find on the figures with some of these.

6 Iffranesia – Won at this level at Chantilly (5.5f, good to soft) last autumn and ran well from the front when fourth in a Group 2 there (5f, good) in June but she was soundly beaten when 100/1 for the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York last month and others have more pressing claims.

7 Thesme – Yet to win this season but has been in good form and is making very good progress; outran 66/1 odds when creditable fifth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (5f, good) last month and is a leading contender in a much easier race here.

8 Go On Go On Go On – Lightly raced 3yo who looked in excellent nick when completing a hat-trick in 5f handicaps this summer; today’s race represents a significant rise in class but there’s every chance she’ll prove herself at this level at some stage.

9 Priceless – Wasn’t at her best when fourth in a Pontefract Listed race last month but she went very close in two valuable 6f Newmarlet handicaps in July; that form puts her in the picture here and she shows enough speed to suggest she might be suited by today’s drop in trip.

10 Sunflower – Still has very low mileage and improved upon very disappointing seasonal reappearance when midfield in a 6f handicap at Ascot last month; however, needs to make another significant leap forward to take a hand on first attempt at 5f.

11 Equimou – The only 2yo in the line-up; gave a very good account when second in a Newbury Listed race (5f, good to firm) last month, her fourth start, but that form is not particularly strong and more will be needed to prevail against her elders here.

myracing Forecast Prices: 11/4 Thesme, 7/2 Muthmir, 5/1 Pearl Secret, 8/1 Line Of Reason, Equimou, 10/1 Go On Go On Go On, Priceless, 12/1 Demora, 20/1 Iffranesia, 33/1 Sunflower, 66/1 Taezali