ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Doncaster, Chester and Leopardstown on Saturday, September 12
Sports News Blitz’s racing expert Jeff Mexico has escaped from a Siberian gulag and is back to fork out some more great tips for this Saturday afternoon’s action.
It’s St Leger Day at Doncaster and we have a packed ITV card to get through which includes five contests from Town Moor, two from Chester, and a sneaky Group 1 over in Leopardstown.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
The Bayeux Tapestry is over in the UK and the middle classes, mostly wearing spectacles that hang from a cord, have already snapped up all the exhibition tickets.
Demand to see this old piece of fragile cloth is through the roof, and that is exactly how I’m planning on seeing/stealing it … by going through the roof.
Everyone knows all museum security is incredibly feeble. After bribing a Norwegian guard with some salt liquorice, I stole The Scream from the Munch museum in 2004 and hung it in my downstairs toilet for several years.
The British Museum will be even easier as it’s only protected by a handful of retired librarians who need to go to the toilet every 12 minutes, thus creating huge gaps in the surveillance.
Once I’ve got my mitts on this piece of Norman propaganda, I think it will make an excellent tea towel. It’s what King Harold would have wanted.
Anyway, before I can start this adventure, I need to win some money to pay for my train fare to London, so here are some horse tips.
13:30 (Chester) – 1m 4 1/2f Virgin Bet Stand Cup (Listed)
Win tip: Dubai Honour
No each-way here as it’s a tiny field and I can’t see past clear favourite Dubia Honour in this one.
Has a sizeable class/ratings advantage over these rivals. Also has genuine Group 1 form after only being beaten by a neck in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes and finished fourth in the Australian Queen Elizabeth Stakes against much stronger opposition. A third at Newbury, in his last outing, was disappointing but encouraging as he was only 1¾ lengths behind the winner. Haggis and Fallon are in good recent form and the softer ground should suit.
13:45 (Doncaster) – 7f Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
Win tip: Breacher
Another single tip – it’s that time of year, I suppose.
Finished third in the Group 3 Solario Stakes, only a length behind the winner. It was his first run in 60 days, so he was a little green. Can handle 7f and his winning debut at Salisbury was particularly encouraging. Odds look appealing.
14:05 (Chester) – 2m Virgin Bet Handicap
Win tip: Cranachan
Proven at Chester over this trip, winning here three weeks ago on good soft by six lengths. The handicapper has raised him 9lb, but he can shrug that off, especially as he’s only three and his older rivals are carrying a lot more. Form is good and the ground suits.
Each-way tip: Holy see
Joint-highest official rating on card, and arrives having finished second in a 20-horse race in Galway, where he was sent off at 40/1. He’s already won on soft ground and Oisin Orr is a positive booking.
14:20 (Doncaster) – 5 1/2f Betfred Portland Handicap
Main tip: Twilight Calls
Transformed by a visor and is in great form. Latest win came at Goodwood in a 23-runner handicap, which bodes well for this big-field sprint. Doncaster record is positive and is already a course winner. Stall 7 draw is also a positive. Jockey Saffie Osborne has a good relationship with him.
Each-way tip: Eternal Sunshine
Defending Portland winner and has a manageable race weight. Arrives in good form with a win and a second.
14:55 (Doncaster) – 7f Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2)
Win tip: More Thunder
Official rating of 119 is a major plus and 2026 form is much better than latest fifth suggests. Was second in Lockinge and Queen Anne Stakes and fourth in the Summer Mile. Return to easier ground is a positive as fifth in Deauville was on good to firm and he’s won with a bit more juice in the turf. Seven furlongs suits better, fitness should be better than rivals having run less than a month ago, and Tom Marquand stays in the saddle.
Each-way tip: Qirat
Finished second in latest effort at Goodwood, only beaten by half a length. Returning to 7f on good to soft looks like a good move. A proverb Group-level performer and is consistent at this level.
15:35 (Doncaster) – 1m 6 1/2f Betfred St Leger (Group 1)
Win tip: Christmas Day
The last Classic of the season and my money is going on Christmas Day, who won the Derby by three lengths on soft ground. Was then second in the Irish Derby and third in the Great Voltigeur, which makes for an impressive G1 resume. Proven soft-ground ability and can help Aidan O’Brien break out of his slump in form.
Each-way tip: Highwayman
Recent transformation into a 1m6f winner since stepping up in distance is to be noted, especially at this price. If Saffie Osborne can go one better here, she’ll become the first female jockey to win a British Classic.
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15:55 (Leopardstown) – 1m Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (Group 1)
Win tip: Blue Bolt
Exceptional 2026 form, winning her last four starts which include two G1s and a G2. Has already beaten her main rival, Precise, twice and has the best official rating in the race.
Each-way tip: True Love
Won the 1000 Guineas over the same distance and receives 5lb from Blue Bolt. Has already beaten Precise before that was reversed in the Irish version of the race. Her price is the main appeal here, though.
16:15 (Doncaster) – 1m PJ Towey Construction Handicap
Main tip: Scoville
Has won twice over 1m and can improve over current mark. Daniel Tudhope is an interesting booking and he’s from the Haggas yard. Good price but has never run at Doncaster, and the ground might be an issue.
Each-way tip: Mezcala
Is already a Doncaster winner over course and distance, and has already proved himself in this grade in a big field. Shows best form in these conditions.
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