Racing

St Leger Festival: Four Best Bets

Consent (Park Hill Stakes, 15.00 Thursday)

This Fillies’ and Mares’ event looks seriously competitive. However, I like the claims of Group 1 winner CONSENT. She could only finish fourth at Goodwood last time out but that was only her second start of the year and she’s bound to have improved again.

She came so close to winning this race twelve months ago when just denied by a neck and this race appears to have been the long-term plan again. If she can produce her best, I have no doubt Sir Mark Prescott’s filly is capable of going one place better.

Final Objective (Flying Childers, 14.25 Friday)

Having finished a very good second at York behind Arapaho Gold in the Group 2 Gimcrack last time out, FINAL OBJECTIVE must have excellent claims with a repeat display.

The winner is clearly top-class but this youngster made him fight all the way to the finish. With plenty more to come, it would come as a bit of a shock if he can’t back up that latest effort and turn into another personal best.

More Thunder (Park Stakes, 14.55 Saturday)

MORE THUNDER can get the better of Never So Brave. He hasn’t been at his best on his last two starts but has emerged with credit. Surely a repeat of either his second in the Lockinge or second in the Queen Anne would give him outstanding claims.

He’s proven himself at the highest level and looks ready to register a first win since August last year. I rate him as the clear best bet on the card. There will be no excuses if he cannot take out this event because he ticks all boxes and is up against mostly handicappers.

Pierre Bonnard (St Leger, 15.35 Saturday)

The main event, the St Leger, can go the way of PIERRE BONNARD. He is closely matched with Christmas Day and finished in front of him when second in the Great Voltigeur last time out.

His staying on third in the Irish Derby offers hope that this extra yardage will bring about improvement. This Group 1 winner at two looks primed to produce a big effort and hopefully that is enough to take down his main protagonists and gain an overdue success.