Five horses to take out of the William Hill St Leger Festival
By Harry Allwood
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Harry Allwood kept a close eye on the action at Town Moor and selects five horses to look out for over the coming weeks
By Harry Allwood
dundalk
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The Andrew Balding-trained Danzan found only the Roger Varian-trained Laugh A Minute too good in this valuable 6½f Class 2 contest on Thursday.
The son of Lawman was two lengths clear inside the final two furlongs before being headed in the closing stages.
Seven furlongs had previously seemed to stretch the youngster’s stamina when he was fifth in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York behind Wells Farhh Go.
Danzan is best suited by six furlongs on good ground and he has plenty of speed. I would be surprised if he is not seen over that trip next time out and he remains with potential.
fairview-south-africa
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Byron Flyer finished second for the fourth time in succession in this seven-runner 1m6½f handicap on Friday off a career high mark of 93.
He was beaten a head by the Mark Johnston-trained Time To Study and the pair pulled five lengths clear of the remainder.
There is no doubting the six-year-old’s attitude as he has gone down fighting on each occasion. The Cesarewitch over 2m2f on October 14 is an obvious target for the gelding. He is versatile ground-wise and has an abundance of stamina, having recorded 2m4f win over hurdles.
He is on the upgrade and this consistent son of Byron has to be on any shortlist for the Newmarket marathon because he will go up in the weights again after his Doncaster effort - but at Headquarters he will be able to race off 93 again, provided he makes the cut (he is 37th on the list).
Perhaps his latest near-miss will be a blessing because, had he won, he would have been burdened with a penalty. Bet365 quote him at 33-1 but he will surely not be that price on the day.
Lawless Secret looked an unlucky loser in the Classified Stakes over an extended 1m2f on Friday. Having missed the break, the daughter of Lawman was hampered inside the final furlong before powering home to finish runner-up behind the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Pivoine.
The three-year-old had previously won a 1m2f maiden at Windsor on debut and the form of that race has worked out well.
There should be more to come from the Simon Crisford-trained filly and she can win a similar race before the end of the season.
The Dean Ivory-trained Stake Acclaim was in the process of running a big race before he was badly hampered in this competitive 5½f handicap on Saturday. He would not have beaten the winner but I am certain he would have finished in the frame.
The five-year-old had previously finished third in a 6f handicap at Windsor off a career high rating of 101.
He holds an entry in the Ayr Gold Cup over six furlongs next weekend - he is a general 25-1 - but it remains to be seen whether connections decide to run him in quick succession. The son of Acclamation is versatile ground-wise and is sure to remain competitive this autumn.
The Karl Burke-trained gelding ran a promising race in this mile handicap on Saturday off a mark of 105 after a 168-day absence. He was held up before staying on nicely to finish third behind two improving rivals.
He had not been seen since finishing a respectable tenth in the Lincoln over course and distance in April.
The six-year-old has not won since April 2016, was off a mark of 102, but is entitled to improve for this run. The son of Firebreak is versatile ground-wise and is worth following as he looks capable of winning a similar handicap off his current mark.
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