Our Man at HQ looks ahead to a brilliant Saturday of horse racing

With the participation of Kingston Hill in the Ladbrokes St Leger still up in the air owing to concerns over the ground trainer Roger Varian can get the day off to a flyer with the classy 2 year old Belardo in the 2.05 Doncaster. He got back to winning ways last time out at Newbury when stepping up to 7 furlongs for the first time and connections made no secret of the fact that this would be his next target. Since his last run he has really thrived at home as I saw when he was put through his paces on the Al Bahathri earlier in the week, the lads in the yard are really sweet on his chances so it could be wise to get an early price.

William Haggas runs the speedy Muthmir in the 2.40 Doncaster. Considering he didn’t have the bestof draws he was the last horse off the bridle in the race formerly known as The Stewards Cup at Glorious Goodwood. He was only beaten 2 lengths that day and I’ve been keeping a close eye on him ever since. Paul Hanagan was given the leg up last week when he did a spin up the Limekilns sprinting clear of two decent rivals. He is also a previous course and distance winner and it looks highly likely that he will take a big hand in the finish of this admittedly competitive race.

The advantage of going out regularly on the gallops and watching the various strings is that you get to know various horses by sight. Chris Dwyer run Hannas Turn in the 3.25 Bath and this filly often comes in and out of form but lately she has looked in the form of her life. Early on in the week I saw her on Hamilton Hill and I have never seen her look so well. With the ground and track being in her favour too she will be a double figure price and is the each way bet of the week.

Its always worth taking note when Sir Mark Prescott steps his horses up in trip and he saddles Alba Verde in the 5.25 Lingfield. She was doing her best work inside the final furlong when last seen over a fortnight ago at the surrey venue. She stood out that day and I made it my business to keep tabs on her in the past week. Being a grey she is easy to spot and looked in rude health when striding up Warren Hill. An obvious late maturing type she could be well handicapped off such a low mark in a very open looking race.