Harry Wilson struck with a 17-2 winner is his last column - find out his tips for every race on day one at Doncaster
Harry Wilson found a 17-2 winner in his last column and he is back with his advice for all eight races on day one of Doncaster's St Leger festival on Thursday . . .
1.50 Doncaster
British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Nursery Handicap, 6½f
Harry's tip: Scatter Penny
Scatter Penny came in for some support on her nursery debut at York's Ebor meeting, having won her first two starts, but she was slowly away and wasn't ever in a position to challenge, with those racing prominently holding an advantage. She was the only one to make any headway from the rear, though, and she's been dropped 4lb to a mark of 81, which looks workable considering she produced a Racing Post Rating of 87 at Pontefract in June. Her two wins came from near the front and she could a big player if breaking on terms this time.
2.25 Doncaster
Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes, 6½f
Harry's tip: An Outlaw's Grace
An Outlaw's Grace won going away on his Salisbury debut, looking promising, and went down by a narrow margin in a competitive Group 2 in France on just his second start. That form has been well advertised since, with the winner running well in the Group 1 Prix Morny next time and the third taking the Lowther, and he's had excuses the last twice. He stayed on well from the back at York last time, when it paid to race more prominently, and he may enjoy this extra half-furlong.
3.00 Doncaster
Betfred May Hill Stakes (Group 2), 1m
Harry's tip: Desert Flower
Desert Flower created a fine impression on her debut at Newmarket in July, going clear of the reopposing Flight when meeting the rising ground despite being plenty green throughout. The form looks good, with the runner-up and fourth winning since, and she couldn't have been more impressive when following up under a penalty at the same course last month. She should be suited to a mile and can take the step up in class in her stride.
3.35 Doncaster
Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (Group 2), 1m6½f
Harry's tip: Grateful
Three-year-olds have a good recent record in this race and Grateful looks worth another try, having found herself too far back in the Lillie Langtry in a race where it paid to be prominent. She made good headway from the back to be beaten little more than three lengths and although she will need to improve again, she has the services of Ryan Moore for the first time and could build on her Group 3 success at Fairyhouse in August here.
4.10 Doncaster
Pertemps Network Handicap, 1m2f
Harry's tip: Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry showed plenty of promise on his sole juvenile start, finishing second over a mile with the now 112-rated Almaqam five lengths behind in fourth, and got off the mark at the third attempt at Windsor in April over 1m2f. He won with something to spare that day and the form looks good, with the second and sixth now rated 92, while the third has also won since. He travelled well for a long way before being short of room and fading when upped to 1m4f for the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, and this well-regarded sort, who was thought of as a possible Derby contender in the spring, should be a major force back in trip and class on his handicap debut.
4.40 Doncaster
Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Racecourse Nursery Handicap, 7f
Harry's tip: Back In Black
In a trappy contest, the vote goes to Back In Black, who opened his account at Yarmouth last time with a bit in hand on his first go at 7f. His debut second behind Age Of Gold reads well, given the winner was just touched off in a nursery off a mark of 89 and the third ran well in the Coventry before comfortably scoring next time. His opening mark of 86 looks workable and he's well regarded, so the fact he tackles this rather than attempting to get black type in the Group 2 Champagne he's entered in on Saturday could be a tip in itself.
5.15 Doncaster
Christmas Live @themovies At Doncaster Racecourse Nursery Handicap, 1m
Harry's tip: Best Adventure
Brindavan did it well when beating three of these at Kempton last time and is respected, but it would be disappointing if the well-bred Best Adventure, who cost 650,000gns as a yearling, didn't prove better than a mark of 75. He improved on his debut when a promising second at Lingfield in July and was given a tough ask behind some smart rivals at Sandown three weeks later. He's been freshened up for this and the step up to a mile could bring about improvement.
5.50 Doncaster
Winners Wear Skopes Menswear Handicap, 1m4f
Harry's tip: Lyric
Lyric needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Cocked Hat when last seen, but that was too bad to be true and he's been off since, so maybe they found an issue. He'd previously chased home Musical Act over an inferior mile on his debut before winning well at Windsor in April, beating home three subsequent winners on each occasion, including last week's Haydock scorer Master Builder, who is now rated 95. He should appreciate the extra distance and could prove better than his opening mark of 89 in his first handicap.
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