The Group 2 Neptune Investment Management Champagne Stakes, the opening race on Doncaster’s Ladbrokes St Leger day card on Saturday, has attracted a field of just six runners but promises to be a fascinating affair with Gimcrack Stakes hero Approve bidding to give weight and a beating to his five rivals, writes Elliot Slater.
Winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, William Haggas’ Oasis Dream colt was subsequently found wanting in both the July Stakes and the Prix Robert Papin, before bouncing back to form on the Knavesmire with a brave performance to defy Crown Prosecutor by three–quarters-of a length. Set to concede 3lbs to all his rivals, the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned juvenile might have most to fear from the unexposed Godolphin representative Saamidd, winner of his one and only start in a Newbury maiden where he slaughtered his rivals, finishing seven lengths clear of runner-up Yair Hill.
A beautifully bred son of Street Cry, from a good female line, Frankie Dettori’s mount is very much the dark horse of the race and it looks significant that Godolphin have decided to step him up in grade on only the second outing of his life.
Those looking at irish horse racing tips note that Brian Meehan’s juveniles are in a rich vein of form and his Waiter’s Dream is another with claims having comfortably accounted for a possibly below-par field in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last month.
Well regarded by connections, Meehan’s charge will have the assistance of Keiren Fallon in the saddle. Richard Fahey’s Waltz Darling appears to have at least 10lbs to find with the principals, Karam Albaari only scraped home in an all-weather maiden, and Castlemorris King is in the field to give his owners a nice day out but has no chance of making any impression.
The race looks to rest though between Approve and Saamidd, with the latter taken to cause a minor surprise and get the better of William Haggas’ expected irish racing market leader.
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