The final Classic of the year is nearly upon us. I’ve got three Doncaster St Leger Festival Day 1 tips, as we build up to the big one on Saturday afternoon.
Thursday Quick View
Feature Race: Park Hill Stakes (3:00)
Best Bet: Musical Times – 3:35 (May Hill Stakes)
Next Best: Al Wathba – 4:10
No. of Races: 8
Going: Good to Soft (drying)
The scene is set for four days of great action at Doncaster. My three bets are available at Betfred and 10bet, two of the best horse racing bookmakers on the market.
Doncaster St Leger Festival Day 1 Tips at a Glance
| Bet Type | Horse (Race) | Odds | Bookie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Bet | Musical Times (3:35) | 15/8 | Betfred |
| Next Best | Al Wathba (4:10) | SP | 10bet |
| Value Bet | Waardah (3:00) | 10/3 | Betfred |
Odds correct at 13:45 BST on 08/09/26. Odds subject to change.
It’s been a great start to September. My Saturday horse racing tips page landed three winners from three at the weekend, with the best bet and next best romping home at 11/4 and 5/2 respectively. Exposure, the value pick, completed the clean sweep at a very tasty 10/1. Make the most of these racing previews while they’re here.
No Expiry Date
Doncaster NAP of the Day
Musical Times – 3:35 (May Hill Stakes)
In terms of grade, the Group 2 May Hill Stakes shares top billing on day one of the St Leger Festival. These juvenile fillies could be heading for Group 1 action soon, with the most likely being Charlie Appleby’s Musical Times, a fine chestnut Lope De Vega offspring.
Not all of these will see out the mile on Town Moor, but Appleby’s runner should have no trouble on that score. Godolphin’s main man also won this race in 2024 with the similarly unbeaten Desert Flower. She went on to win the Fillies’ Mile, and later the 1000 Guineas.
There will be no ground worries here, and jockey William Buick is in rare form, riding a huge treble on Saturday at Haydock.
Why I’m Backing Musical Times:
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Out of Dubai Fountain, second in this race in 2020
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Has already beaten third favourite Scommessa Sicura on debut
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Kept fresh for this race by her top, in-form trainer
Doncaster St Leger Festival Tips – My Next Best Bet
Al Wathba – 4:10 (Nursery Handicap)
Charlie Appleby’s Wootton Bassett colt, Al Wathba, has always been well thought of. He made an excellent debut at headquarters and followed up one disappointment with an easy win two weeks ago.
If he’s that good, why would they go to a nursery handicap as opposed to a pattern race? Well, we all know he is way, way better than a 91-rated horse. That means he could be very well-in here at the weights, so why not let him show that before going up in class?
Appleby has gone down the nursery route before heading to the top table in the past, most notably with Breeders’ Cup and French Guineas winner Modern Games. Al Wathna wasn’t considered in the end for Sunday’s National Stakes at the Curragh during Irish Champions Weekend, but he has been left in the Royal Lodge and the Dewhurst. He could yet be a top-notcher.
Why I’m Backing Al Wathba:
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Still entered in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes
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Just behind 111-rated Haffner on debut
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Another Charlie Appleby representative – 40% recent strike-rate
Doncaster Horse Racing Tips – My Value Bet
Waardah – 3:00 (Park Hill Stakes)
The Group 2 Park Hill is a £165,000 contest for fillies and mares, run over the St Leger distance of one mile, six-and-a-half furlongs. As ever, a strong field has been assembled.
Still decent value with race sponsor Betfred, even after two solid runs this season, is the unpenalised former Group 2 winner Waardah. She and market rival Danielle have had a few battles, but our filly will likely appreciate the drying ground more than John & Thady Gosden’s mare.
Waardah went close to repeating her 2025 Lillie Langtry Stakes win at Glorious Goodwood six weeks ago, and that was only her second run of the season. Despite the undoubted quality of Owen Burrows as a trainer, she wouldn’t have been 100% there and will strip fitter for the outing.
Still entered in the Arc as well as on Champions Day, Waardah is expected to win at Group 1 level one day. This race is within her compass for sure.
Why I’m Backing Waardah:
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Only her 9th career run – still lots more to come
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Wears a hood for the first time to sharpen her up
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Proven over the distance at Group 2 level
