Biographer to write the headlines on day three of St Leger meeting
Published:It is the Doncaster Cup that is the highlight of day three of the St Leger meeting, with the first two home from last year back to renew rivalries.
However, Biographer can upset Times Up and High Jinx now that the recent rain has fallen, with Lady Lara also capable of springing a surprise in the May Hill Stakes. Finding a winner to match 100/1 Morning Post from earlier at the meeting may be too much to expect though.
Thunder Strike is the only course winner in the field, has triumphed on both his starts over 5f previously and comes from the yard of Richard Hannon, who has landed two of the last three renewals of this contest. He warrants respect, but is untried on ground this soft.
Wind Fire has already placed twice at this level and should also enter calculations, but Ambiance looks worthy of each-way interest after taking third on similar ground in the Molecomb Stakes earlier in the season and being the highest rated in the field.
The Ladbrokes Mallard Stakes has mainly been a race for upsets in recent years, with four of the last five winners being sent off at double-figure prices.
However, only six line up this time and the claims of Shwaiman are hard to oppose, after winning stylishly on his handicap debut over course and distance on his last start and getting in off a feather-weight here.
Tenenbaum is interesting at a bigger price through his winning form on soft ground in France last season.
Biographer looks a true stayer and the faster ground this season has arguably prevented him from being seen at his best.
The softer ground today should be ideal and he may be the one to beat, despite never previously winning at this sort of level.
Times Up and High Jinx were the first two home in the Doncaster Cup last year and are likely to be contenders again.
Ihtimal continued Godolphin’s domination of the Sweet Solera Stakes last time and could give the yard a third successive win in this race if taking to the ground. The step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem as she wasn’t stopping in front at Newmarket.
But, although she is the one to beat, her price does look a little short.
Lady Lara has already been backed in from 33/1, has a dam with winning form over 1m and showed her class earlier in the season when performing creditably in the Albany Stakes on her debut. She is worth a chance at a decent price.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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