THESME can gain a thoroughly deserved first success of the season in the VIP Premium Vaping & E-Liquids Scarbrough Stakes, the feature event on the opening day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster.
Nigel Tinkler’s charge was three times a winner last term but has yet to poke her head in front this year, although she has been holding her own at a higher level. Her initial attempt at Listed company back in April ended in a heavy defeat, but the four-year-old has since fared better back in handicaps, notably chasing home recent Beverley hero Alpha Delphini at York in July before again placing at Glorious Goodwood.
She then came up just short against Kingsgate Native in a Nottingham conditions event before Tinkler opted to hike her right up in class to Group One level in the Nunthorpe at York.
Thesme appeared to be punching above her weight on that occasion but outran her 66/1 price tag to be beaten just over four lengths by Mecca’s Angel in fifth. While she benefited from an ideal draw, Thesme showed she had speed to burn before getting swallowed up in the finish and a repeat of that effort here should see her right.
Akhlaaq made quite an impression when winning on his debut at Salisbury and he can build on that in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Conditions Stakes. This son of New Approach holds a clutch of big-race entries and could have tackled the Group Two Champagne Stakes later in the week.
However, Owen Burrows has opted to take a more conservative route and that should pay dividends as Akhlaaq looked as though he still had plenty to learn on his racecourse bow. He ran very green that day before staying on and seems to have any amount of improvement still to come.
Hijran can carry Gay Kelleway to victory in the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes. A winner at Thirsk in recent weeks, Hijran looks a relatively unexposed type who can give Kelleway a first success in her seventh attempt on the race.
War Glory should benefit most from the late defection of Battlement in the Howcroft Industrial Supplies Handicap, while Landwade Lad is expected to take all the beating in the Story Contracting-Plant, Construction & Rail Conditions Stakes.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap: Thesme (3.00: Doncaster)
Double: Akhlaaq (2.00: Doncaster)
Treble: Hijran (3.35: Doncaster)
Treble: War Glory (4.10: Doncaster)
