With Friday’s Doncaster Cup looking a very trappy, and somewhat underwhelming renewal, ANNA NERIUM is fancied most on day three of the St Leger meeting in the opening Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes.
The daughter of Dubawi, seventh in the 1000 Guineas back in May after winning the Free Handicap first time out, returned from a two-month break to beat Dream Of Dreams at Goodwood just over a fortnight ago.
Anna Nerium gets a small penalty for that success but I like the way this genuine sort sees out her races over this trip and there could be further improvement to come.
Dream Of Dreams had previously run a cracking race behind Sir Dancealot at Newbury while that good yardstick Breton Rock was beaten over four lengths into fourth at Goodwood.
The selection is rated a pound superior officially to Laugh Aloud whose victories have all come at a mile, and she is 6lb higher than Dancing Star, an unlucky loser at Goodwood early last month.
Ellthea, winner of a nursery at this meeting last year, is interesting on her best form but hasn’t raced since finishing fifth of seven at Chantilly in June. Soft ground seems to suit her well.
In the Group Two Wainwrights Flying Childers Stakes, Rumble Inthejungle, Soldier’s Call and Legends Of War set to head the market.
However, I can’t resist another small interest in LITTLE KIM who, since winning a Group Three at Deauville (5f good to soft) in July, in which the re-opposing Shumookhi was third, got no run at all in the Supersprint at Newbury and then looked a non-stayer at York (6f) last time. Frankie Dettori is an interesting booking.
Later, Dettori may go well aboard the three-year-old BEN VRACKIE in the William Hill Mallard Handicap.
John Gosden’s lightly-raced colt was raised to Group Three level, again at Goodwood, having won at Lingfield in July by 11 lengths, but couldn’t match the finishing drive of St Leger hopeful Maid Up.
Nevertheless, it was a decent effort considering Ben Vrackie was making only his fourth appearance and, up against mostly exposed older horses here, the son of Frankel can prove himself a useful stayer in the making.
Fast Results
Scores
Racecards 
