After a low-key opening day, Doncaster's St Leger meeting moves up a gear on Thursday with some highly regarded 2-year-old fillies on display in the G2 May Hill S. Abdulla Al Mansoori's Kilmah (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}) is the pick on form, having won the G3 Prestige S. on her first try at seven furlongs at Goodwood 12 days ago, but that is by no means an unobtainable standard for her less-exposed opponents to aim at.
“We are not certain she will stay a mile and we are not certain she will stay a mile in what will be slow ground. That is the question mark regarding Thursday,” trainer Mark Johnston's son and assistant Charlie said. “There are four in the race that finished behind her last time that are reopposing. Based on that run it is clear that they have a bit to find to reverse the placings.”
Fourth behind her there was Qatar Racing Limited's Rich Legacy (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), but she looked in need of this extra distance and may appreciate it more than the winner, and trainer Ralph Beckett is confident she will finish closer this time. “It looks like a re-run of the Prestige, so let's hope we get better luck in running,” he commented. “The extra furlong won't be any harm to her.”
Khalid Abdullah's Blending (GB) (Medicean {GB}) comes here off a seven-furlong Newmarket maiden win July 30 and with her profile from the John Gosden stable is certain to attract significant attention in the betting. “I'm perfectly aware that her ratings say that she shouldn't be there, but she is in good order,” Gosden said. “She is in good form and worked well the other day.”
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