A decent start to the 2011 St Leger Festival includes old time jockeys going head to head in the Leger Legends race, which is preceded by the feature race of the day, the listed Scarbrough Stakes.
Doncaster (Good To Firm)
2.00 Nursery (Class 2 handicap) 7f, 2-year-olds (12 runners)
West Leake Hare (Charles Hills/Michael Hills) 7/1ew or Magic City (Richard Hannon/Richard Hughes) 8/1ew
Charlie Hills' runner West Leake Hare was touched off by a short head in a similar race at Glorious Goodwood and is likely to enjoy a return to firmer ground after bombing out on a soft York track last time. The Hannon and Hughes pairing is always respected, and Magic City is also likely to enjoy a move back to firmer conditions. It's his first try at seven furlongs though.
2.35 Conditions Stakes (Class 2) 6f, 2-year-olds (5 runners)
Eureka (Richard Hannon/Richard Hughes) 9/2
It's fair to say Eureka is the most exposed of this two-year-old field. However, the colt has performed at the highest level compared to those who oppose him, with his last outing being sixth behind phenom Habour Watch at Glorious Goodwood. Richard Hannon's charge is weighted accordingly, but still has an excellent chance.
3.10 Scarbrough Stakes (Listed) 5f, 2-year-olds+ (12 runners)
Dinkum Diamond (Henry Candy/Dane O'Neill) 6/1ew or Captain Dunne (Tim Easterby/David Allan) 11/2
Irish three-year-old Dinkum Diamond has finished third or higher in all five of his runs this season (four listed contests), winning a conditions stakes race at Newmarket in July before finishing just behind Tangerine Trees and Duchess Dora (who opposes again in this) in the Beverley Bullet last time out. Henry Candy's colt is in great form and should go close again. The six-year-old Captain Dunne has had a decent season also, with his sole victory coming in the Epsom Dash handicap in June.
3.45 Leger Legends Classified Stakes (Class 5) 8f, 3-year-olds+ (19 runners)
Talent Scout (Tim Walford/Tom O'Ryan) 6/1ew
An old-timer jockey race, including Ray Cochrane and Jamie Osborne. My pick of the horses is the improving Talent Scout who has won his last two handicap outings, both over eight furlongs.
4.20 Conditions Stakes (Class 2) 10f, 3-5-year-olds (9 runners)
Elusive Pimpernel (John Dunlop/Eddie Ahern) 9/2
Following an impressive juvenile campaign, Elusive Pimpernel was seen twice at three, before returning as a four-year-old this year, only to largely disappoint. The step up to 10 furlongs hasn't gone particularly well thus far, but he did finish second in the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock a month ago. That form could see him triumph in this grade.
4.50 Champions Handicap (Class 2) 7f, 3-year-olds (14 runners)
Lightning Cloud (Kevin Ryan/Phillip Makin) 8/1ew or Shesastar (David Barron/Jamie Spencer) 6/1ew
Lightning Cloud has run almost exclusively at seven furlongs, and has secured four victories from six starts this campaign, moving up the handicapping divisions with relative ease. This is his stiffest test so far, but there is no reason to believe he won't handle it. Shesastar is another improver that has won at Class 2 level this season. Jamie Spencer tends to get the best from her.
5.20 Handicap (Class 4) 5f, 3-year-olds+ (22 runners)
Lujeanie (Dean Ivory/Frankie Dettori) or Picabo (Lucy Wadham/Dane O'Neill)
Frankie Dettori is an interesting booking for Dean Ivory's Lujeanie, who appeared to enjoy the drop back to five furlongs this summer, finishing second and third in comparable races. Having struggled at six furlongs earlier in the campaign, his latest run (over six at Newmarket in July) is best forgotten. Filly Picabo is another horse seemingly enjoying a drop back to five furlongs, finishing first and second in her last two encounters.
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