While Thursday’s action at Doncaster boasts the G2 bet365 Park Hill Fillies’ S. and G2 bet365 May Hill S., last year’s G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) returns to the scene of his greatest success to steal the show after his long absence. Facing just one rival after a credible threat in Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) was scratched due to a bruised foot, Khalid Abdullah’s unbeaten grey has a distinct edge over Mythical Magic (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the 10-furlong Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Conditions S. Teddy Grimthorpe said, “It truly is good to see him back. It has been well-documented he did have a serious illness, peritonitis, over the winter, so we are going slightly into the unknown with him. All the indications have been positive in terms of his well-being. His work has been progressive. He’s never been a fancy worker, so it’s always hard to tell what level he’s at, but John [Gosden] is happy enough with him, certainly. I think the most important thing is to get him back on track. There are all sorts of scenarios afterwards, so there’s not much point in saying this or that. It’s a triumph in itself getting him back on track and in good form. Hopefully whatever he does, he will come on significantly for the race.”
The Park Hill, or “Fillies’ St Leger”, sees Kirsten Rausing’s Aug. 13 Listed Upavon Fillies’ S. winner and G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) scratched on Wednesday. Instead, Koji Maeda’s rapidly-improving Believe In Love (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) whose four successive handicap wins include a last-time 10-length success at Newmarket over this 14-furlong trip Aug. 29, is one of the star attractions. Her rider Andrea Atzeni commented, “She’s a very progressive filly who has won her last three races. It’s a big step up from a handicap to a Group 2, but she’s the second top-rated horse in the race after Sir Mark’s filly, who is the one to beat after chasing home Love at York. We don’t really know how good Believe In Love is, as she’s improving all the time.” Scott Heider’s Pista (American Pharoah) is another filly on the up and comes here on the back of a win in Leopardstown’s Listed Vinnie Roe S. also over this trip Aug. 13. Of the older fillies and mares, Duke of Devonshire’s G3 Prix Belle de Nuit scorer Monica Sheriff (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) put in a highly encouraging effort on her belated return when fourth in the Ebor H. at York Aug. 22. Her trainer William Haggas said, “She came out of the Ebor well and I’m very happy with her going into the race. I just wouldn’t want to see the ground dry out too much, but she’s very well.”
In the May Hill, two fascinating novice winners square up in Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s July 25 seven-furlong Ascot scorer Zabeel Queen (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and George Strawbridge’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Indigo Girl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The latter could be more precocious than her high-class full-sister Journey (GB) based on the manner of her debut success over this mile trip at Yarmouth Aug. 30. Andrea Atzeni said of Zabeel Queen, “We were hopeful going to Ascot, but you never really know when you’re taking on horses with more experience. She was a bit green, but she did it well and Charlie Appleby’s two fillies who finished behind her [Renaissance Rose and Creative Flair] have both won since, I believe. Stepping up to a mile on a flat track like Doncaster shouldn’t be a problem. It is a step up in grade, but she’s entitled to be there and I’m looking forward to it.” Of those with experience, Teruya Yoshida’s Star of Emaraaty (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) sets the standard following her 1 1/4-length defeat of the re-opposing Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G3 Sweet Solera S. over seven furlongs at Newmarket Aug. 8.
ParisLongchamp stage their stepping stones to the upcoming G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day in the G3 Prix des Chenes for colts and geldings and the G3 Prix d’Aumale for the fillies. There are only four in the Chenes, with Pierre Beziat’s Aug. 4 Deauville conditions scorer Mouillage (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) looking to back up the impression of that 5 1/2-length success for the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. He has ‘TDN Rising Star’ Midlife Crisis (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to contend with and Shigeo Nomura’s bay is looking better all the time after the colt he beat by five lengths over 7 1/2 furlongs on debut Deauville Aug. 4, Bouttemont (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), won here on Sunday. Another ‘TDN Rising Star’ in Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) lines up in the d’Aumale, with the Niarchos Family’s homebred relative of Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) cutting an instant dash with her winning debut over seven furlongs at Chantilly July 19. She has to reach the form standard set by the July 14 Listed Prix Roland de Chambure winner and Aug. 22 G2 Prix du Calvados third King’s Harlequin (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and the Aug. 1 G2 Prix Six Perfections third Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}).
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