The Group 2 Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes is run over the same course and distance as the St Leger and highlights the festival’s day one card at Doncaster. Here are GG’s 1-2-3 predictions for the contest.
In rain-softened conditions, the rain went the way of Sumo Sam in 2023, who gamely made all.
Night Sparkle
(Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy)
After going on a terrific run for Michael O’Callaghan in 2023, Andrew Balding looked set to reap the rewards of her improvement when Night Sparkle joined his yard last September. Her first run for him came in this race, although she flopped as favourite on soft ground.
This season has been much more consistent, seeing her finish competitively at Group level on a number of occasions. Twice she has been second to Henry De Bromhead’s Term Of Endearment in filly and mare only races over this trip of 1m6f, though that opponent stays away here. As this is her optimum distance, she is therefore the one to beat, although she remains without a win since joining Balding despite gaining some consistency,
Mistral Star
(Hughie Morrison/William Buick)
The four-year-old Mistral Star is a close relative of Hughie Morrison’s 2019 Dante winner Telecaster. However, unlike that colt whose star shone brightly only over a short career, this daughter of Frankel looks set for plenty more action, as she is in better form than ever.
Although only fifth on her return in Listed company, she subsequently won at that level, after a Group 3 place, at Newmarket in July. She stepped well up in class to contest the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks last time out, but acquitted herself well in fourth. This is a far easier assignment and her yard usually excel with stayers, so it would be no surprise if she takes to the extra two furlongs in distance.
Scenic
(Ed Walker/Tom Marquand)
Scenic has been far from a prolific winner in her career, going nine starts without a victory despite consistent efforts in Pattern company. However, she would regularly bump into one back in novice events, until eventually making the most of an opportunity at Kempton back in May.
Thereafter she seemed to return to type, finishing mid-pack in good quality fillies’ races at Haydock and Pontefract. However, a close third when sent to France for a 1m7f Listed race almost paid dividends before she sauntered to success at that level at York last time out. That victory was noteworthy for the style in which she won, which is given extra credence given how difficult she has found it to win in the past. That suggests she may be about to improve significantly, and this trip is well worth a go too.
Grateful
(Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore)
As with many a Ballydoyle filly before her, Grateful is impeccably bred, being out of star Group 1-winning American mare Tepin and by the great Galileo. There is class oozing from that pedigree, though it is taking a bit of time for this three-year-old to take that to the track.
She has won two of her five starts, winning a Fairyhouse Group 3 on her third start, beating no less than Ebor winner Magical Zoe into third. The form gives off mixed signals though, and she could not back it up when down the field at Glorious Goodwood upped to Group 2 level. That said, there are few horses not aided by Ryan Moore’s presence in the saddle, and we know she’ll stay.
The Field
Sumo Sam defends her title, and rain in the forecast for Wednesday gives hope that it could turn soft enough for her at Doncaster. However, the ground is unlikely to deteriorate too much with a dry day on Thursday which would significantly diminish her chances, as it would for another mudlark in Gather Ye Rosebuds. Her form in beating Queen Of The Pride at Goodwood earlier this term reads well too if there is enough of a downpour.
The Gosdens have a great recent record in this race, winning four of the last nine runnings, though Sweet Memories does not look a filly to rely on. Her form this term is not good enough for all that her best performance last season came in September.
That leaves a trio of three-year-olds, who have won the last four editions. Oxford Comma arrives here dangerously unexposed after two impressive victories this term. She does not look too ground dependent and her pedigree screams out-and-out stayer. Her recent win has not worked out well, but the extra two furlongs should definitely be of benefit. Nakheel on the other hand is an unlikely stayer on breeding, though the impression she has left on the track has been favourable regarding her stamina. Ambiente Amigo looks like she needs too significant an improvement to be involved.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Value Punts – Doncaster St Leger Festival Day One
There are some huge prices available about some of Matty Sutcliffe’s fancies for day one of the St Leger festival at Doncaster. You can back them early now, as he provides his value bets for Thursday. Published: 3.30pm Tuesday, 10th September (Odds correct at time of writing) 1:50 Doncaster – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’…
Tue 10 Sep 2024
Verdict
Night Sparkle does stand out on form over this distance, but her profile suggests it takes no superstar to beat her. Three-year-olds have won the last two renewals, and Grateful and Oxford Comma earn respect as the standouts among that generation here, but preference is for SCENIC over Mistral Star. The selection won in some style at York last time out and though it is a surprise that Oisin Murphy deserts her, he perhaps showed Tom Marquand the ideal way to ride the daughter of Lope De Vega, especially to get this trip. Mistral Star is second choice having run with credit in Group 1 company last time.
- Scenic
- Mistral Star
- Grateful
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