BetMGMBetMGM

Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: St Leger Festival Tips Days 1 & 2

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY RACING TIPS

THURSDAY

Doncaster 1.50 – Fillies’ Nursery

Toomuchforme (5/1 fav) looks like a nice filly who won at Ripon and then was second behind the highly regarded, William Haggas-trained Jewelry in a novice at Newbury last time out.

She was just beaten by a classier horse that day but goes into a nursery for the first time off a fair mark and that extended six furlongs at Doncaster might just suit her a little bit more.

Toomuchforme is drawn in the middle. The significance of the draw position at Doncaster can be very much dependent on the ground – good ground is forecast so the middle could be the place to be.

That could change as the festival progresses but, for day one, I am going to be looking for those drawn in the middle with options of going either way.

She is open to further progression off her mark so she’ll be my pick here in a big, competitive field.

Megan’s Tip: Toomuchforme WIN

Doncaster 2.25 – 2-Y-O Stakes

To win, I’m going to go Camille Pissarro (3/1 fav).

He was my ‘horse to follow’ at the beginning of the season and he’s been a bit disappointing so far. The Sales Race this time provides a slightly alternative aspect.

His draw in six is fine – maybe slightly lower than ideal – and he is very much of interest.

It’s not too often we see a Godolphin horse running in this type of race but I’m going to go put up Hallasan (7/1) each way here.

It took a bit of time for the penny to really drop but he put in a nice performance to win a maiden at Nottingham last time out. I liked how we was ridden that day – he was allowed to bowl along at a nice rhythm rather than fighting too much. He’s been keen enough previously.

They’ll go at a strong pace, which will suit him, and the slight extra distance at the extended six furlongs doesn’t bother me with this horse either.

He’s interesting, still progressive and hasn’t really tried the higher level as of yet. He’s also got a middle draw.

Megan’s Tip: Camille Pissarro WIN; Hallasan EW

Doncaster 3.00 – May Hill Stakes

No question for me here. Desert Flower (6/5 fav) very much impressed me on her debut when green.

She was very immature yet still managed to fly up the hill at Newmarket in July, beating Olly Sangster’s filly Flight (11/2) who she takes on again here.

I can’t imagine how that form can be reversed. Desert Flower has come out and won again since when she looked sharper, and definitely improved from that first run to bolt up again at Newmarket.

She steps up in grade here but she’s a big filly. She has a real presence about her. She’s going to be much better at three, when she strengthens up. The fact we have seen so much ability already as a two-year-old is pretty impressive.

I think this is a really smart filly and very much one of my two-year-old fillies of the season. She’s one to mark down for the Guineas next season, that’s for sure.

The fillies this year look pretty smart and we know Aidan O’Brien has some potential top-class fillies too. There’s a bunch of potential Classic types.

But Desert Flower is right up there for me and I can’t see her getting beat here.

Megan’s Tip: Desert Flower WIN

Doncaster 3.35 – Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes

I’m going with Mistral Star (9/2), who ran a huge race in the Yorkshire Oaks last time out.

Trainer Hughie Morrison has been very keen to sit and wait for some decent ground and he is going to get that again here at Doncaster.

She’s a talented filly. William Buick staying on board is a plus and I don’t think this trip will be an issue for her provided she gets in that rhythm in the first furlong or so.

Each way I’m going to throw in Nakheel (9/1), who has got to improve but has cheekpieces on for the first time.

She looked quite hard work last time in the Galtres Stakes at York. She raced lazily but kept going and really stuck to her task nicely before flying home late on to run into third.

It’s a new trip and new headgear for her and I think she could sneak into a place at a big price.

Megan’s Tip: Mistral Star WIN, Nakhell EW

## FRIDAY ### Doncaster 1.50 – [Mallard Handicap](/sports#racing/event/1021607474) I’m going to go with **Shadow Dance** (3/1) here.

This is a horse I absolutely love. He needed his return run when finishing 17th in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Ascot but has stepped forward massively from that with two good performances since, including a winning run in the Heritage Handicap at York last time out.

I feel like an extra couple of furlongs can help this horse. He was pretty strong at the finish at York. It was a bit of a battle but he’s pretty tough and this extra distance may help him find further improvement again.

Jockey James Doyle gets on with him really well. It’s a relatively small field but this horse is straightforward so that doesn’t worry me too much. James will be able to position him wherever he feels is best.

Megan’s Tip: Shadow Dance WIN

Doncaster 2.25 – Flying Scotsman Stakes

Jonquil (5/4 fav) looked pretty smart at Sandown when overcoming plenty of trouble at a crucial time. Jockey Ryan Moore worked his magic to wriggle his way out of trouble and dropped this horse on the line.

It was a taking performance – really eye-catching. It’s warranted this step up in grade pretty quickly and I’m looking forward to seeing him back in action.

The news of Sir Michael Stoute having his final season training is pretty sad, but what a career he’s had. He’s an incredible trainer and this horse could be very smart. Whoever takes over the training of this fella next year is going to be very lucky as I imagine he’ll have some pretty big targets.

But Sir Michael is someone I have followed and looked up to as I’ve been growing up. He’s been a legend to my dad [trainer Paul Nicholls] and grew my interest in Flat racing – he was one of those trainers whose runners you would take a lot of interest in.

He targets his horses in a great way. I love his race planning and the time he gives them. He’ll be very much missed – though I imagine he will still be around the racecourses for us to pick his brains.

We wish him the best in his retirement and Jonquil can give him a nice winner at Doncaster.

Megan’s Tip: Jonquil WIN

Doncaster 3.00 – Flying Childers Stakes

My pick here is Magnum Force (3/1 fav).

He was really unlucky at York. He got short of room and jockey Colin Keane had to sit quiet on him for a few strides and wait for the gap to come. When it did, he took off and he was only beaten a neck in the end.

Magnum Force has got plenty of speed and he would have won at York if he didn’t have that trouble. Provided he gets a clear passage through, he should get his head in front.

I can understand the support for Big Mojo (10/3 2nd fav), who is dropping back in trip. He ran well in the Gimcrack at York, but was just a bit too keen and a little immature.

He’s learning and still improving but I just think the Irish raider will take the beating.

Megan’s Tip: Magnum Force WIN

Doncaster 3.35 – Doncaster Cup

Sweet William (15/8 fav) really deserves his glory day.

This season has been successful but frustrating. He’s put up some big performances in defeat at the very top level and he’s so consistent. He comes back fighting every time.

Jockey Rab Havlin has really worked this horse out, as have his trainers the Gosdens.

He’s quirky but very talented. He’s just been bumping into some exceptional rivals recently – including Kyprios last time out in the Goodwood Cup.

He’ll be pleased not to be seeing Kyprios this time around and I think he is the one they have to beat.

He’s pretty ground versatile, he’s very tough, he keeps bouncing back with big performances. I’d like to see him put his head back in front and I think this is a great opportunity to do so.

Megan’s Tip: Sweet William WIN

Browse all our horse racing markets here

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

We're sorry!

Unfortunately, BetMGM isn't available in your country.