SPEED and stamina make the perfect racehorse — just look at Baaeed — but it’s the opposite ends of the scale that will be key to the feature races today.
In the Flying Childers young speedster The Platinum Queen — picked off late on by Highfield Princess in the Nunthorpe at York — will try to burn off her rivals in a five-furlong dash.
Meanwhile, star stayer Trueshan must grind his rivals into the ground in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup over two and a quarter miles.
Very different races, but equally fascinating.
Let’s start with the Flying Childers, another Group 2, and there’s no doubt many will just think The Platinum Queen will blast away on the front end for Oisin Orr and Richard Fahey. They might be right.
However, I think the stronger-staying TRILLIUM (2.35) can pick the likely favourite up close home.
My selection has finished off well at Newbury and Goodwood to win on her last two starts and it’s her stamina to stay six furlongs on this galloping track I like here for Pat Dobbs and Richard Hannon.
The Doncaster Cup has been won by some terrific horses over the year, including Le Moss, Ardross, Longboat, Double Trigger, Persian Punch and Stradivarius.
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Thankfully, with ground having eased after all the rain leading up to this St Leger Festival, TRUESHAN (3.10) will take his chance.
And he will be very hard to beat for Hollie Doyle.
The Goodwood Cup-third — with a mark of 124 — is simply in a different league to this lot.
INCHICORE (1.25) was far from disgraced over a mile and a half last time at Haydock when fourth behind Get Shirty staying on strongly.
He gets this trip well and goes in ground with juice.
Of the others, I’ve tried Mahrajaan too many times now — so I just have to take him on.
The Listed Flying Scotsman is for two-year-olds over seven furlongs.
It’s easy to fancy NOSTRUM (2.00) who runs for top combo Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute.
The son of Kingman looked really good at Sandown first time out and he is sure to have plenty more to come.
ASJAD (3.45) has been hopeless on his last two starts and might well still be too high in the handicap.
However, he likes cut in the ground on a track like this. I’ll play each-way he bounces back at a big price.
GLENFINNAN (4.20) will be short and surely can’t miss in this moderate maiden.
The 4.55 looks a trappy affair.
The top one ZAMAN JEMIL is up 10lb for an easy win in the Racing League at Newcastle last month.
That was a more competitive race than this so I just wonder if, with magic man Moore booked, he can follow up despite the extra weight. I’ll keep stakes small though.
Finally, there’s nothing like a ROYAL SCANDAL (5.30) to keep us interested in the lucky last for my good pal Daniel Muscutt.
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