OTTOMAN EMPEROR can deny hot favourite Hurricane Lane and win the Cazoo St Leger (British Champions Series) (3.30pm) at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon.
The Johnny Murtagh-trained three-year-old can continue his rise to land the final Classic of the season on Town Moor.
The Group One feature appears to be all about Charlie Appleby’s market leader following his Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris victories.
He has only been beaten once in six career starts, when third to stable-mate Adayar in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom in June.
He sets the standard but whether he will stay this extended 1m6f is a doubt. So with that in mind, a chance it taken on a minor upset with Murtagh’s improver.
Based on Ottoman Emperor’s fine victory in the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood you would think he will improve further stepped up in trip.
The son of Excelebration has also only tasted defeat once in his five career starts.
And although it has been at a lower level than what Hurricane Lane has been winning at, he looks well capable of mixing it in Group One company and may just outstay the favourite.
Aidan O’Brien’s Sir Lucan – second to Ottoman Emperor at Goodwood – may be able to reach the frame at double figure odds.
The Portland Handicap (1.45pm) looks as competitive as ever and KIND REVIEW can go close at biggish odds.
Tracy Waggott’s five-year-old won three from five starts earlier in the year, but has had a break after a disappointing effort at Newcastle in June.
He could resume winning ways under Hollie Doyle from what looks a decent high stall in 19.
As ever there are plenty of dangers including Kevin Ryan’s Justanotherbottle; the consistent veteran Copper Knight – from the Yorkshire stable of Tim Easterby; and Beyond Equal.
Richard Hannon’s LUSAIL can make if five wins from six starts in the Group Two Champagne Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (2.20pm).
The juvenile has to give 3lbs away to the equally exciting Reach For The Moon following his win in the Gimcrack Stakes at York last month. But he can improve again stepped up to seven furlongs and land another Group Two win.
Roger Varian’s LANEQASH can build on his return to win the Group Two Cazoo Park Stakes (3pm).
The Cable Bay colt was second to Sacred in the Group Two BetVictor Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on his first start of the season last month.
With that run under his belt he can go one better.
Others who may score at Doncaster are Appleby’s FALL OF ROME – under Liverpool FC fan William Buick – in the opener, the Vertem Nursery (Str) (1.15pm); another Varian-trained runner TITLE in the Sky Sport Racing HD Hippo Pro 3 Handicap (4.05pm); and Easterby’s CRUYFF TURN – who landed a fourth win of the season at York last month – in the Vermantia Handicap (5.10pm).
At Chester Kevin Ryan’s THRONE HALL can win the Listed tote+ Stand Cup Stakes) (2pm).
The four-year-old was only just beaten a decent handicap at York last month and he can go one better on the Roodee.
Mark Johnston’s course and distance winner HOCHFELD can return to form in the HomeServe Handicap (2.35pm).
Although the seven-year-old has been a bit in and out this season, he is now down to just 1lb higher than his last winning mark at Nottingham in April. And at a track he has run well on, he can bounce back.
Trainer Richard Fahey looks to hold the key to the Mental Health UK Handicap (3.50pm) with four entries and they are all owned by Merseyside-based Dr Marwan Koukash, who loves nothing better than having winners at Chester. Three of those are berthed in stalls one, two and three in the six-furlong sprint and it looks like all three could be in the firing line.
Last year’s winner Gabrial The Devil enjoys running at Chester and is drawn in stall two.
The same can be said of POWERALLIED, who has drawn the plum stall in one, and preference is just for the eight-year-old to land another course victory, now well down below his last winning mark here and on the back of finishing a close second on the Roodee at the end of June.
The well-drawn (stall one) DEVIOUS ANGEL can give Cheshire-based trainer Tom Dascombe a home win in the five-furlong Clogau Nursery (3.10pm).
The two-year-old filly has already won twice at Chester and also at Haydock Park and she looks set to land another success.
Brian Meehan’s course and distance winner PALAVECINO – to the ridden by Everton FC fan Martin Dwyer – can add another success on the Roodee in the Restaurant 1539 Handicap (4.25pm).
Others who may score at Chester are Dascombe’s LORDMAN in the opener, the Golden Square Warrington EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (1.30pm) and the George Boughey-trained WIDAAD – under Nicola Currie, neice of former Liverpool FC defender Steve Nicol – in the Horseradish Catering Handicap (4.55pm).
At Leopardstown Aidan O’Brien’s dual Classic winner ST MARK'S BASILCA can land a fourth straight Group One victory in the Irish Champion Stakes (2.45pm).
MOTHER EARTH – also a Classic winner this season – can start a Group One double for O’Brien with victory in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (1.40pm).
Ger Lyons’ course and distance winner MAKER OF KINGS can go in again in the Group Two Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile (2.10pm).
Wright Ones
DONCASTER
1.15pm Fall Of Rome
1.45pm Kind Review (NAP)
2.20pm Lusail
3pm Laneqash
3.35pm Ottoman Emperor
4.05pm Living Legend
5.10pm Cruyff Turn
CHESTER
1.30pm Lordman
2.05pm Throne Hall
2.40pm Hochfeld
3.20pm Devious Angel
3.50pm Powerallied
4.25pm Spirit Dancer
4.55pm Widaad
BATH
1.35pm Strike
2.05pm Madame Ambassador
2.40pm Choirmaster
3.20pm Pastfact
3.55pm Tasfeeq
4.30pm Ginger Jam
5pm Red Flyer
LINGFIELD
3.05pm Rose Grey
3.40pm Fancy Man
4.10pm Bobby Kennedy
4.45pm Trans Montana
5.20pm Kendergarten Kop
5.50pm Glasvegas
6.25pm Tomouh
MUSSELBURGH
3.30pm Lucky Violet
4pm Gometra Ginty
4.35pm Mythical Molly
5.05pm Roach Power
5.40pm Aleef
6.15pm God Of Dreams
6.50pm Redzone
7.20pm Line Of Descent
LEOPARDSTOWN
1.40pm Mother Earth
2.10pm Maker Of Kings
2.45pm St Mark’s Basilica
3.15pm Earlswood
SUNDAY’S NAP: Turandot (6pm Haydock)
