Matthew Sutcliffe focuses on day 3 of the St Leger Festival, with the big race itself, the St Leger taking place at 3.35pm on Saturday 12th September. He has a whopping six bets for the action at Doncaster, so check out his best bets here…
Doncaster Racing Tips (Saturday 12th September 2026)
Eight races take place at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon, with the action kicking off at 1.10pm. Check out Matthew’s selections for St Leger day.
13:45 Doncaster – Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (2yo) -Breacher 7/1 1.5pt EW 2 places
Desert Castle looked smart when landing the odds at Newmarket on debut in a race Godolphin typically farm, but the form is suspect given the next two home were comfortably beaten next time out and the Champagne Stakes isn’t a race they generally target with a smart one. They are 0-6 in the race in the last ten years including two beaten favourites, so it may be worth looking past the favourite.
I was keen on the chances of Gentle Hurricane at York in what looked a moderate Acomb, and he still looked an unfurnished sort racing keenly throughout which would be a huge hindrance at Doncaster given its long, galloping straight.
I can’t quite see why Breacher deserves to be as big in the betting, as he’s done very little wrong in his career and is more than entitled to step forward from the Solario Stakes in which he contested from a 60 day break.
He looked very smart when drawing well away from the well bred Squadron at Salisbury on debut, finishing a further eight lengths clear of a now 91 rated winner in fourth. He missed his next intended engagement on account of blood’s concern, but ran creditably for third in the Solario Stakes on ground perhaps softer than ideal.
He appeared caught for a turn of foot, but once he gathered the idea of what he had to do he came home strongly while still looking green in the process. He isn’t a colt who over-races, which would be an issue here, and I suspect this son of Cracksman can take a big step forward here.
14:20 Doncaster – Betfred Portland (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Twilight Calls 13/2 1pt WIN + Annaf 22/1 1pt EW 6 places
Twilight Calls was on a losing spell of 25 prior to returning this season with a first time visor and his form now reads 1211 in the newly equipped aids. He landed a competitive 23 runner handicap at Goodwood last time out when overcoming a pace bias to finish off with a wet sail late on under Saffie Osborne, showing he retains all ability displaying the speed he was blessed with in his youth.
He went up another 4lbs, but that form has worked out with the second and fifth finishing first and second in the same event next time out, and the effort can be somewhat upgraded given the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th had all raced more to the fore.
He’s still 14lbs lower than his peak mark when contesting Group 1’s, and if remaining in the same form he can deliver another strong performance given a low draw is no hindrance.
I’d also like to chance Annaf, who I suspect has been targeted towards a return to this race that he won off a 9lbs higher mark in 2023.
He’s largely struggled to make his mark in pattern contests since, but he did win the Bengough Stakes last October suggesting he can figure at a grade higher than this when on song. He’s worked his way down the handicaps this season, but not without promise including an eye-catching effort at Ascot three starts back, beaten a length.
He comes with risks attached, but he has to figure off this mark at some point and back at this venue, now may be the time to catch him from a potentially favourable high draw.
14:55 Doncaster – Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Wise Approach 14/1 1pt EW 3 places
Half of the field here are confirmed front runners and I wouldn’t be surprised if Never So Brave goes forward to aid More Thunder either, so the suspicion is the pace will be quite strong and in turn could favour one from off the pace.
More Thunder is the obvious one down in grade, but it could pay to chance Wise Approach on his first try at this trip along with first time cheek-pieces. On the whole, he’s been very disappointing this season but he was rated 115 as two year old, having finished behind Gstaad and Venetian Sun in the Prix Morny before winning the Group 1 Middle Park in good style.
The latter effort suggested he would get further than six, having overcome adversity to stay on strongly and just getting up late on. He emulated his half brother Perfect Power there, who made a winning reappearance over seven furlongs on his seasonal debut and I think Wise Approach can improve for that trip.
He was given a 51 day break after bombing out in the Commonwealth Cup, but he stuck on well for seventh in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last month, an extended six furlongs, again suggesting this trip is worth exploring.
Although by Mehmas, he is related to two seven furlong winners and his dam was a winner over ten furlongs, so he is bred to get this trip and given he’s plenty fresher than most who’ve had some tough races, he can bounce back to form here.
15:35 Doncaster – Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) – Alderman 33/1 1pt EW 3 places
I’m happy to leave both Enceladus and Christmas Day here who we’ve profited healthily from already this season, and instead chance Alderman who ran a terrific race in the Derby to finish fifth.
Albeit still a maiden, the form of his staying on Newbury second in April has worked out well with the winner going in by eleven lengths next time out, the third has gone in twice since and the fourth won comfortably last time out.
He came from an unfavourable position in the Derby when 100/1, but he rallied strongly, clocking the second fastest final furlong only to the winner. In theory, he holds Pierre Bonnard on that form suggesting he’s overpriced and there were excuses for his below par effort next time out when jarring up on firm going.
Richard Hannon had Mojo Star finish second here despite just a Newbury maiden to his name in 2021, who also outran his odds in the Derby, and give how little racing he’s had compared to the rest he may have more in the locker to spring a surprise.
16:15 Doncaster – Pertemps Network Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) – Mezcala 9/1 1pt EW 5 places
Connections won this with Johann in 2024 and Mezcala follow suit. The Expert Eye gelding won the Spring Mile over course and distance on seasonal debut in a comfortable manner hitting the front on the bridle and pulling away with ease from the other 11/2 joint favourite.
He backed that up from a 5lbs higher mark when a length third at Newbury ahead of a few in here, with the second Indigo franking that form strongly since. He then returned to the winners enclosure landing the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, again travelling strongly before delivering a smart turn of foot to finish well on top.
He couldn’t back that up in the International Handicap, but he wasn’t all that far away and the return to the mile here can suit.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for St Leger Festival Day 3
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Doncaster on day 3 of St Leger Festival on Saturday 12th September.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 3.30pm on Thursday 10th September.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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