Bet of the Day: Today's 2/1 bet for the St Leger Festival at Doncaster

Today’s bet of the day sees Architect Tips back trainer Karl Burke to extend his excellent record in the May Hill at the St Leger Festival

Thursday marks the start of the prodigious St Leger Festival at Doncaster and we are in for a treat this week. There are four top-class days of racing at Town Moor, headlined by the world’s oldest Classic, the Group 1 St Leger Stakes, which will take place on Saturday.

While the opening day’s eight-race programme (13.15-17.20) is not of the highest quality compared to the following three days, it is still of firm interest with highlights including a pair of Fillies’ Group 2 events, the Park Hill and the May Hill, while the 300,000 2-Y-O Stakes is the pick of the supporting events.

Thursday’s Bet of the Day runs in the Group 2 Betfred May Hill Stakes (15:00), a race that is all-too-familiar for trainer Karl Burke having tasted success in the past in it with Laurens. He could have another potential top-class filly on his hands, whose impressive win in a Group 3 last-time-out left the distinct impression she has plenty more to come.

Thursday’s Bet of the Day – Betfred May Hill Stakes at Doncaster (15:00)

This well-documented Group 2 race for the Fillies has attracted a really strong field of nine, including six last-time-out winners.

See The Fire looked impressive when scoring with plenty to spare on debut at Newmarket and is a filly to be feared now upped in class but the best bet, from my point of view, looks to be warm favourite Darnation ( best price 2/1 on BetUK ).

This filly has done well to win two of her three starts, as well as finish a close third on debut, considering she has been outpaced at times over inadequate trips before doing her best work in the closing stages and is sure to improve for the step up in trip.

The substance of her form is far superior to what the remainder have achieved, especially her latest win in the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood.

In spite of being slow to break and being one of the first off the bridle, she picked up strongly once asked for maximum efforts by Clifford Lee entering the final furlong and the further she went, the better she looked.

Once she hit top gear, she comfortably brushed past Carla’s Way and Pretty Crystal, who had both previously finished eighth and fifth in the Albany at Royal Ascot, winning by two lengths.

She would ideally prefer a spot of rain but her class should overshadow that plus her trainer has a great record in the race having won it with Laurens in the past, as well as having the second last year with Novakai.

This stiff mile should suit this daughter of Too Darn Hot and, given her opposition will need improvement to beat her, she can continue her progression and land the hat-trick.

Gamble responsibly

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.

We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org.