The Doncaster St Leger Meeting got under way on Wednesday the 10th with the build up over the four days to the St Leger which will be run on Saturday. Today (Friday) we have the Doncaster Cup to look forward to. This is a Group 2 for 3yo’s+ run over 2 miles 2 furlongs. The race is worth £100,000 and if Honolulu shows the same form he displayed at Royal Ascot he could provide Aidan O’Brien and the Ballydoyle team with another big race success. They certainly have all the best stayers this season and tomorrow at the Curragh Septimus (pictured) is expected to win the Irish St Leger, a Group 1 run over 1 mile 6 furlongs for 3yo’s+. This race is worth 300,000 euros and Seamie Hefferman gets the mount on Septimus as Johnny Murtagh will be at Doncaster to ride Frozen Fire in our St Leger. Our St Leger, a Group 1, is worth £500,000 and is for 3yo colts and fillies run over 1mile 6 furlongs. Frozen Fire has not run since Seamie Hefferman rode him to win the Irish Derby. In my blog of September 2007 I did reminisce and list past winners of the St Leger so I will not go over that ground again.

There is an added bonus on Saturday as Doncaster now stages the Haydock Sprint Cup, postponed from last Saturday and now renamed the Ladbrokes Sprint Cup with the same declared runners. The going should still suit Utmost Respect although there appears to be plenty of confidence behind African Rose from France. For all the runners and riders with the jockeys colours click on the sporting life.

The postman has just delivered my copy of the Timeform Chasers & Hurdlers 2007/08. It will not be long before the National Hunt season starts in earnest and we will be counting down to the great Cheltenham Festival next March, which will take place on Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th. I cannot wait !