Doncaster St Leger Festival: Akhlaaq and Mount Logan among Wednesday tips

David Metcalf | September 6, 2016

Akhlaaq holds all the aces in Donny opener

Akhlaaq created a huge impression when scoring on debut and looks the answer to the 6f Conditions Stakes that get proceedings underway on the opening day of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival (14.00).

The Owen Burrows trained colt got up close home to beat Sfumato by a neck in a 13-runner maiden at Salisbury, but the narrow winning margin does not tell the full story.

After tracking the leaders, Akhlaaq got outpaced and ran green three from home before the penny finally began to drop.

The well-bred son of New Approach then quickened up smartly inside the final furlong under a tender hands and heels ride from Paul Hanagan to be well on top at the finish.

It was a most taking performance which suggested Akhlaaq had a huge engine and needed keeping firmly onside, and the form of the race has been given a boost with the runner-up, fifth and eighth having all come out and won since.

Mount Logan can cash-in on class drop

Mount Logan disappointed last time out but can take advantage of a drop in grade to quickly bounce back and land the 1m 2f Conditions Stakes (16.45).

The Roger Varian trained five-year-old ran too bad to be true when sixth to Kinge Fete in a Group 3 at Goodwood, having previously landed a Listed contest at the same venue on seasonal reappearance, before being far from disgraced when fourth to Dartmouth in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.