Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle turns her attention to the closing day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster on Sunday, with live coverage running across the festival from Thursday through to Sunday, while top-class action also unfolds at Champions' Weekend at The Curragh.
Scott filly primed to make winning Stakes debut
Doyle has long been an admirer of Forty Years On, who possesses the credentials to make an immediate impression in Pattern company when she lines up in the feature race at Doncaster on Sunday, the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies Stakes at 3.05.
Trainer George Scott, fresh from his Friday success with Caballo De Mar in the Doncaster Cup, has identified an ideal opportunity for this progressive daughter of Mayson. The filly demonstrated her superiority over her rivals in a valuable handicap at Goodwood last month and appears ready to step up in class.
Forty Years On thrives on softer ground and can record her sixth victory in eight starts, potentially at the expense of Shadwell's Touleen. That runner brings solid Group One form to the contest following her unlucky run in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Touleen appeared somewhat awkward when last seen in the Valiant Stakes, so the addition of cheekpieces may help sharpen her concentration. Planet Seeker looks generously priced based on her York form and her respectable fourth-place finish in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at The Goodwood Festival.
Bailey's Say What You See suited by extended trip
Say What You See presents a compelling case in the Betfred Mallard Handicap at 3.40 on Sunday, having produced a succession of dependable performances for trainer Liam Bailey throughout the year.
The gelding came close at Southwell before delivering an impressive effort at York's Ebor Festival, where he stayed on from a considerable distance back to claim third place over 12 furlongs. The step up to this longer trip should play to his strengths.
Godolphin's Valedictory represents an interesting alternative, though he appeared somewhat one-paced when covering two miles at York on his most recent outing. Earlier in the season he looked genuinely promising, recording back-to-back victories at Goodwood and Newmarket, but he has questions to answer off his current mark.
Boughey's Asuka can flourish at six furlongs
Doyle holds Asuka in high regard for the Betfred 'The Classic Bookmaker' Handicap at 1.55 on Sunday's Doncaster card. The lightly-raced Night Of Thunder gelding trained by George Boughey should have no difficulty with the drop back to six furlongs on such a galloping track.
Asuka confirmed his top form over a longer distance at Chester on his latest start, where a poor draw and an interrupted passage through the race compromised his chances. Boughey's stable companion Oliver Show also brings strong credentials to the race, with his run behind subsequent winner Inspired at Goodwood reading positively. The first-time visor represents an intriguing addition to his equipment.
Langstone primed for return on easier ground
Doyle is eager to see Langstone back on a softer surface in the Betfred City Of Doncaster Handicap at 2.30 on Sunday. Clive Cox's three-year-old broke his maiden over the same course and distance in spring before adding an All-Weather success, but the fast ground at Royal Ascot's Britannia proved unsuitable.
The colt has not been seen in public since Ascot, meaning he arrives at Town Moor considerably fresher than his rivals. He remains well treated off a slightly reduced mark of 92. Zooming should also benefit from a more sympathetic surface for the first time since winning her maiden at Newmarket last autumn. She has been heavily campaigned this year and drops into handicap company for the first time off what appears a reasonable mark of 94.
Sun Goddess ready for Group One examination
Doyle cannot wait to witness Sun Goddess's performance back at Group One level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at 2.50 at The Curragh on Sunday, following her dominant display in a valuable sales race at York last month.
Aidan O'Brien's filly overcame adversity after encountering trouble on The Knavesmire, but her class shone through as she stormed to an impressive six-length victory. This assignment presents a significantly stiffer challenge, as she tackles seven furlongs for the first time on a more demanding track, yet Doyle remains confident the Phoenix Stakes winner possesses the ability to succeed.
Green Empress travelled smoothly when breaking her maiden in the Group Two Debutante Stakes over the same course and distance last month, defeating Alpha, Ibelieveicanfly and Dancing Destiny, and emerges as the principal danger.
Starlust primed for another big performance
The manner in which Starlust finished his race behind US raider Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York suggests he can deliver another significant performance in the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes at 3.25 at The Curragh.
Ralph Beckett's five-year-old returned from retirement following an unsuccessful spell at stud and appears to have rediscovered the form that brought him success in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint two years ago.
Time For Sandals has produced solid efforts in her last two outings, and Doyle is impressed by the way she flashed home in the Nunthorpe after repeatedly encountering trouble mid-race. With fortune on her side, she could prove the one to beat, with Kieran Shoemark aboard.
Giant Sequoia positioned for National Stakes success
Juddmonte's Monogram demonstrated class credentials when scoring over course and distance for Joseph O'Brien and appears capable of stepping up to Group One company with ease in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at 4.00.
However, one area where Monogram falls short is experience, which could hand Giant Sequoia a significant advantage. Aidan O'Brien's first string won the Group Two Futurity Stakes at The Curragh on his most recent start and clearly possesses enormous potential.
Based on that performance, the son of Frankel remains open to considerable improvement and possesses sufficient quality to make an impact at the very highest level, earning Doyle's selection in what promises to be a compelling renewal.
Scandinavia chasing fifth Group One crown
With an unbeaten run stretching to seven races, Doyle eagerly anticipates Scandinavia adding to his reputation in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at 4.35 on Sunday. Aidan O'Brien's Gold Cup winner drops back to one mile and six furlongs, a distance that should present no difficulties on such a testing track, and can justify short odds in pursuit of a fifth victory at the highest level.
Stable companion Jan Brueghel, who like Scandinavia is a Doncaster St Leger winner, represents the obvious danger. He looked as impressive as ever when winning this season's Coronation Cup and will relish the additional test of stamina this race provides.
Festival schedule and upcoming action
The Sceptre Fillies' Stakes is a Group 3 race for fillies and mares aged three or older over seven furlongs and six yards, with the 2026 renewal scheduled for 3.05 pm on Sunday 13 September. The Irish Champions Festival is being staged across Leopardstown on 12 September and the Curragh on 13 September 2026 as a two-day showcase of top-level Flat racing, with the Irish St Leger as the closing Classic of the weekend.
