Doncaster Thursday Betting Tips for the St Leger Meeting Part 1

There is some seriously high-quality racing action to unfold at Doncaster over the next few days as the build-up to the 2012 St Leger, and the possibility of a rare British Triple Crown, continues to build up plenty of momentum. Thursday's card at Doncaster is punctuated by two group level clashes and a high-priced 2YO stakes.

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The 1:15 is a nursery handicap with 20 runners going 6f. The going for the day is currently rated as good and, with a minimum of rain in the forecast, the cloudy conditions overhead shouldn't really offer up any genuine advantages to a particular sort of running style.

Near the top of the weights we have Jamesbo's Girl, who runs 1112 in her last four and retains Paul Hanagan for the mount. Currently rated at 80, she's part of a co-entry from the Richard Fahey yard. Look for Steer By The Stars to put in a good shift here with Joe Fanning up. He was a beaten favourite last time out and could be set to kick on here.

Lightly-raced Annecdote looks sharp enough and could progress off the maiden score at Salford about a month ago. Facing winners for the first time, she produced a solid flourish in her final furlong and it looked better than it might seem on paper. She should deliver at a price as well.

The Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes is a Group 3 encounter for fillies and mares. This one is set to go 7f and many will be expecting the Godolphin entry Gamilati to offer up some improvement off a relatively disappointing kick off to the season at Goodwood back in early August. She rose to prominence by capturing the UAE 1000 Guineas in February and captured a trial for the race as well on her seasonal debut in January. She's done well since moving to Dettori but was only able to muster up a 10^th place finish at Goodwood last time despite being sent off as the prohibitive 9/4 favourite.

Regal Realm captured that Goodwood race and will be back in this one. She followed that up with a 7/7 performance a few weeks later but was only 3 lengths off the pace despite coming last. She has a pair of Group 3 victories to fer credit and should enjoy the good going for the race as that last one came over good to soft-rated ground that was likely closer to soft than good.

Bonnie Brae is one of the more interesting top weights and emerges off the Heritage Handicap circuit.