Black-Type Analysis: Round Tower Winner On A Mission In Flying Childers, As St Leger Draws Seven

[Wandering Eyes]

Friday, Doncaster, post time: 15:00, THE BETFRED HOWARD WRIGHT DONCASTER CUP-G2, £150,000, 3yo/up, 17f 197yT

Field: Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Hipop De Loire (Fr) (American Post {GB}), Kyle Of Lochalsh (GB) (Highland Reel {Ire}), Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Tashkhan (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), Oxford Comma (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Pendragon (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Last year's winner Sweet William remains in good heart and is the obvious choice, but there is a chance that proper Group 1 horse Sunway could enjoy this extreme trip at the track at which he was third in the St Leger 12 months ago. Sir Mark Prescott saddles the only three-year-old and while Pendragon has improvement to find, he has a healthy weight-for-age advantage over what amount to largely beatable older horses. The trainer exploited it with the filly Alleluia in 2001, so knows what it takes. [Tom Frary].

Friday, Doncaster, post time: 14:25, THE CARLSBERG DANISH PILSNER FLYING CHILDERS STAKES-G2, £130,000, 2yo, 5f 3yT

Field: Dickensian (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Exclamation (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Havana Hurricane (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), Kansas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Military Code (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Mission Central (Ire) (No Nay Never), Argentine Tango (GB) (Mattmu {GB}), Killavia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Lady Iman (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Palmeira (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Revival Power (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Ballydoyle's Round Tower winner Mission Central goes again and Aidan O'Brien sees no issue with the drop back to five, but he won't be able to dominate the Molecomb winner Lady Iman over this trip if she is over her Nunthorpe experience. Revival Power beat Military Code in the Listed Roses Stakes over York's flat, fast five and should be equally suited by this track, while the Windsor Castle one-two Havana Hurricane and Dickensian are no back-numbers with plenty of experience to draw on. [Tom Frary].

Friday, Salisbury, post time: 15:25, THE IRE-INCENTIVE, IT PAYS TO BUY IRISH DICK POOLE FILLIES' STAKES-G3, £45,000, 2yo, f, 6fT

Field: Anthelia (Ire) (Supremacy {Ire}), Awaken (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Azleet (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Bella Lyra (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Dandana (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Flowerhead (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Golden Palace (GB) (Palace Pier {Ire}), Orion's Belt (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Ourbren (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Planet Seeker (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Reimagined (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Spinning Lizzie (GB) (Kameko), Vishaka (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Rescheduled from last week, this features the Albany runner-up Awaken, who has since shed her maiden status at Leicester and will be a warm order. Also in the mix is the Queen Mary runner-up Flowerhead, but she hasn't really gone on from Royal Ascot while Jeff Smith's Goodwood maiden winner Planet Seeker could be anything at this stage. [Tom Frary].

Friday, Doncaster, post time: 13:50, THE BETFRED FLYING SCOTSMAN STAKES-Listed, £65,000, 2yo, 7f 6yT

Field: Avicenna (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Catullus (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Do Bronxs (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Do Or Do Not (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Electrical (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Frescobaldi (Ire) (No Nay Never), Hankelow (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Northern Champion (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Sir Albert (Ire) (No Nay Never), Sunset On Leros (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}).

TDN Verdict: This is a race that has grown in importance in recent years since Frankel made sure it obtained Listed status and the major stables are present with unexposed types with Classic potential. Godolphin's Catullus had it easy at Yarmouth last time, but won't here with the likes of the York winners Hankelow and Frescobaldi and the Arqana Series des Poulains winner Northern Champion. He joins fellow TBT Racing-Ed Walker representative Do Or Do Not who is a rarity as a six-times maiden with four Group 2 placings. [Tom Frary].

Friday, Saint-Cloud, France, post time: 15:28, PRIX TURENNE-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 12fT

Field: Surabad (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Sea Scout (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Prosecutor (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Zarraf (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Gethin (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Maneki (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), Waldnebel (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Best Secret (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Owen Burrows trainee Gethin, who boasts a two-for-two record, has not been out since posting a wide-margin win at Newbury in April and puts his unbeaten record on the line in this black-type debut. Fellow British challenger Sea Scout has finished off the board in four stakes starts since annexing Epsom's Listed Blue Riband Trial back in May and comes back off a fourth in last month's Listed Prix Nureyev. Aga Khan Studs representative Surabad finished sixth of six in July's G1 Grand Prix de Paris and the Francis Graffard entry is better judged on his runner-up finish in Chantilly's G3 Prix du Lys and a win in April's Listed Prix de l'Avre. Wathnan Racing's Goodwood handicap winner Best Secret and G1 Deutsches Derby eight Waldnebel offer hope in an open edition, while Prosecutor and Maneki, representing Andre Fabre and Jean-Claude Rouget, merit respect. Zarraf completes the line-up. [Sean Cronin].

Saturday, Doncaster, post time: 15:40, THE BETFRED ST LEGER S.-G1, £700,000, 3yo, Open, 14f 115y

Field: Carmers (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Furthur (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Rahiebb (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Scandinavia (Justify), Stay True (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Tarriance (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Judged on the evidence of the first day's racing here, staying power is going to be a must and Scandinavia certainly has that. From one of Coolmore's finest Classic families, he has surged to promise in the last two months and mastered last year's Leger runner-up Illinois in the Goodwood Cup. Lambourn was so disappointing in the Voltigeur that it leaves a question mark over what looked a rock-solid Leger proposition beforehand. Winning the Derby and Irish Derby in the manner of a true stayer, he would probably be the more likely candidate of the pair if he is back to his best. Galileo's last Classic runner Stay True and the Queen's Vase winner Carmers were in front of Lambourn at York and both promise to improve significantly for this step up in trip in what will probably be an Irish-dominated affair. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 17:30, ROYAL BAHRAIN IRISH CHAMPION S.-G1, €725,000, 3yo/up, 10f 0y

Field: Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal), Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Mount Kilimanjaro (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Zahrann (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Given the likelihood of soft ground for this, it is very hard to envisage Anmaat not having a big say. One of the few to have beaten Calandagan, he may have too much for the race's obvious favourite Delacroix who won a falsely-run Eclipse but yet is described by Aidan O'Brien as needing a strong pace. This renewal is light on heavyweight players, so Japan's Shin Emperor who was third in what was probably a stronger renewal of this 12 months ago may not have to improve on that to continue Japan's fine recent record in Europe. Zahrann is on the upgrade, but his win in the Royal Whip leaves him probably short of what is required. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 16:25, COOLMORE AMERICA 'JUSTIFY' MATRON S.-G1, €240,000, 3yo/up, 8f 0y

Field: Duckadilly (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Queen Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Sparks Fly (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Vera's Secret (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}), Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Revived by her win in the Prix Rothschild, Fallen Angel bids for another overseas triumph with January looking to close the narrow gap between them from Deauville and become the bride for once. Second to Porta Fortuna 12 months ago, Fallen Angel holds the key but it might be a mistake to have taken Danny Tudhope off given how well they connect. The surprise Coronation heroine Cercene reverts to a mile after being put in her place by Whirl in the flag-started Nassau, while Vera's Secret is three-for-three around here and has two Group 3s over seven under her belt from her trio of visits. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Doncaster, post time: 13:50, THE BETFRED CHAMPAGNE S.-G2, £150,000, 2yo, Open, 7f 6y

Field: Cape Ashizuri (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Cape Orator (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Gewan (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Oxagon (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), Puerto Rico (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Under new ownership, the Acomb winner Gewan continues exactly on the Chaldean path for the same stable. Oxagon earned TDN Rising Star status with his eight-length Sandown romp, while the two “Capes” have claims. Cape Orator looked ready for this grade when bossing Deauville's Arqana Criterium d'Ete and Cape Ashizuri registered a taking debut success at Ayr. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Doncaster, post time: 15:00, THE BETFRED PARK S.-G2, £140,000, 3yo/up, 7f 6y

Field: Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), King's Gamble (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Quinault (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Room Service (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Ten Bob Tony (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Zoum Zoum (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), East Hampton (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), Marvelman (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Zabeel Alkabeir (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Back over seven, last year's Middle Park and Dewhurst winner Shadow Of Light bids to get back on track and it is probably a case of leaving it as late as possible to employ his deadly kick. Connections of the John Of Gaunt winner Ten Bob Tony have been patient and the ground has come right at last, while Audience needs to bounce back after a spell in the wilderness but has a flat track and his ideal trip to help. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 16:55, TONYBET SOLONAWAY S.-G2, €120,000, 3yo/up, 8f 0y

Field: Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Johan (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}), Lord Massusus (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}), Mutasarref (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Skukuza (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Alakazi (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), Comanche Brave (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Copacabana Sands (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}).

TDN Verdict: Comanche Brave probably has the most upside, with his Jersey third backing up a fine effort behind Henri Matisse in the G3 Ballylinch Stud Stakes here in March. Things haven't happened for last year's Vincent O'Brien National Stakes winner Scorthy Champ this term, but there is always another day for a colt of his class while there is no reason to expect a drop-off from the G3 Desmond Stakes-winning veteran Johan. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 15:20, KPMG CHAMPIONS JUVENILE S.-G2, €90,000, 2yo, Open, 8f 0y

Field: A Boy Named Susie (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Benvenuto Cellini (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Hardy Warrior (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Montreal (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Nil Bua Gan Dua (American Pharoah).

TDN Verdict: It's an all-O'Brien affair, as Aidan, Joseph and Donnacha supply the runners in what will be a historic moment for Irish racing's supreme dynasty. The colts that Ballydoyle choose for this staging post are pointers to their Derby thoughts for the year ahead and it is no surprise that Benvenuto Cellini and Montreal carry the standard here. Kept back since his taking maiden win at Killarney, the former is a son of Newspaperofrecord who has already produced the smart full-sister Giselle, while TDN Rising Star Montreal is a half to Cayenne Pepper who couldn't have done any more than win by eight lengths over course and distance last month. As ever, Joseph has irons in the fire in Hardy Warrior who had Montreal back in third over this track and trip in July and the maiden Nil Bua Gan Dua, while Donnacha's Futurity fourth A Boy Named Susie completes the landmark line-up. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 15:50, CMG GROUP S.-G3, €60,000, 3yo/up, 12f 0y

Field: Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Trustyourinstinct (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Fleetfoot (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Sunchart (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), Mo Ghille Mar (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Acapulco Bay (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Convergent (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}), Omni Man (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Reyenzi (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), It's A Heartbeat (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}).

TDN Verdict: This is competitive stuff, with the perpetual Group 3 winner Al Aasy looking to see off some smart Irish runners and the Deutsches Derby runner-up Convergent. Last year's winner Trustyourinstinct looks even better in 2025, while there is a chance that we haven't seen the best of Ballydoyle's Acapulco Bay during a frustrating campaign. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Leopardstown, post time: 14:15, BALLYLINCH STUD IRISH EBF INGABELLE S.-L, €60,000, 2yo, Open, 7f 0y

Field: Brownstown (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), Caught U Sleeping (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Diamond Necklace (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Inbox (GB) (Ectot {GB}), Kensington Lane (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Killashee Warrior (GB) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Mighty Danu (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}), Red Autumn (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Sukanya (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Teewinot (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Venosa (Gun Runner).

TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Diamond Necklace will be a warm order to kick off Irish Champions weekend in style for Ballydoyle and with good cause. The blueblood went through her Curragh debut with so much promise it is impossible not to envisage her in the 2026 Classics and anything other than a win will be deflating. Mighty Danu looked one to follow on her winning debut at Galway, while the Prestige fourth Sukanya had that form boosted on Thursday. [Tom Frary].

Click here for the complete fields.

The post Black-Type Analysis: Round Tower Winner On A Mission In Flying Childers, As St Leger Draws Seven appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article