Top TV pundit Matt Chapman’s on the trail of Run Boy Run (14:25 Doncaster) this Saturday afternoon
matt chapman’s saturday racing tips
13.15 Doncaster – Treble Tee
13.50 Doncaster – Gewan
14.05 Chester – Hamish
14.25 Doncaster – Run Boy Run (each-way)
14.40 Chester – Zoffee
15.00 Doncaster – Shadow Of Light
15.40 Doncaster – Scandinavia
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
A Classic day on ITV Racing Saturday from Doncaster and some action from Chester to enjoy.
It all starts here with a handicap over 1m. Galleon is going to fall in somewhere eventually and it might be here down to 94. However, there is no doubt TREBLE TEE should take a bit of beating for the Crisfords and Oisin Murphy. Conditions are ideal and he arrives on the back of an excellent second at Goodwood (Great Chieftain behind), where he was unlucky not to win. Up 2lb, but I suspect this is not quite as competitive.
13.50 Doncaster – Gewan
Up in class now for a decent race for juveniles in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes over 7f. All of these are open to improvement, but there is no doubt that the best form brought to the table comes from GEWAN, who did well to land the Acomb at York, which looked a decent heat. This is, arguably, an easier task, and the new purchase for owners Zhang Yuesheng should take all the stopping. PJ McDonald rides for Andrew Balding, a team that is becoming more and more prevalent.
14.05 Chester – Hamish
A tricky one coming up, as ITV go to Chester for two races, starting with this Listed Stand Cup Stakes over an extended 1m4f. The ground is not really soft enough for HAMISH at the time of writing and I’m not sure he will take part. That all said, even if it’s good I would think he still has too much class for the field despite being nine years old. Cieren Fallon rides for William Haggas, and Hamish was last seen 97 days ago when landing a Listed race at Goodwood. He’s been waiting for some easy ground since.
Saturday’s Jackpot is up for GRABS IN PADDY’S eliminator racing game
14.25 Doncaster – Run Boy Run (Each-Way)
The Portland Handicap over an extended 5f – a distance that is crucial. Trefor is bang in form, but any juice in the ground might not be in his favour, so the one I like is RUN BOY RUN for the strong team of Phil Cunningham and trainer Richard Spencer. I think ground is key to this horse’s success, and I suspect he’s got a fine chance as an each-way pick if there is a bit of cut.
Recently, his form on ground with any sort of juice includes a third at Ascot, a fair fourth at Newmarket, and a fourth in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood. This specialist distance should be perfect as a horse who has the speed for 5f but stays 6f. George Wood with the big chance.
14.40 Chester – Zoffee
A handicap over 2m, and there are a few strong stayers in here, with this being a chance for former Chester Cup winner ZOFFEE to roll back the years and score for Kevin Stott and Hugo Palmer. He was not disgraced at all in the big race back in May, when third off 91, but then did nothing at Royal Ascot off 3lb higher. He’s dropped 1lb here and back at his favourite track.
The Group 2 Park Stakes over 7f, this is a huge chance for SHADOW OF LIGHT to get back to winning ways – and possibly set himself up for a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup for Charlie Appleby and Billy Loughnane. The former 2000 Guineas third has not won in 2025, but his fifth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup was not a terrible effort and neither was his fourth at Deauville last time. I think he still has too much class for this field.
The final Classic of the British season in the Group 1 St Leger over an extended 1m6f. SCANDINAVIA did this column a huge favour when landing the Goodwood Cup, and while technically he’s not as good a horse as Derby winner Lambourn, I’d expect him to outstay his rivals under Tom Marquand. He’s just improving all the time, while Lambourn disappointed when only fifth in the Great Voltigeur.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
matt chapman’s saturday racing tips
13.15 Doncaster – Treble Tee
13.50 Doncaster – Gewan
14.05 Chester – Hamish
14.25 Doncaster – Run Boy Run (each-way)
14.40 Chester – Zoffee
15.00 Doncaster – Shadow Of Light
15.40 Doncaster – Scandinavia
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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