Doncaster racing tip (1535): Back Beckett’s progressive filly to claim fantastic four-peat

1535 Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3)

The Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes is the headline attraction on Sunday as the St Leger Festival at Doncaster draws to an exciting conclusion.

Cachet will be making her first appearance since finishing sixth in the Coronation Stakes a year ago. She may be the one to beat on that form, but her extended absence poses some questions and makes her vulnerable.

Nigiri, saddled by Ralph Beckett, has had plenty of outings this year and is fresh off of a hattrick at Haydock and York this summer.

The most impressive of those wins was the most recent as she strode clear to win by four and a quarter lengths which suggests there’s still more to come from the rapidly improving filly.

Magical Sunset, Dream of Love, Vetiver and Matilda Picotte also feature in the top half of the betting with all but the latter having produced wins over this distance.

The former pairing shared a course of their last outing as Magic Sunset stayed on well to claim the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood in August, with Dream of Love claiming third.

It’s worth noting she has a three-pound penalty to contend with so that particular pairing could be beck and neck on Sunday with both having claims.

Further down the pecking order, Queen Aminatu has shown herself to be a capable sort on all weather but is yet to show up on turf, while Clounmacon tends to blow hot and cold.

Samedi Rien, Cell Sa Beela and Dandy Alys prop up the bottom of the market 22/1 or greater and all need to show plenty more at this level if they’re to threaten the frame.

This isn’t a two-horse race but if things go true to form, then Cachet may just need a race or two to find her best while Nigiri looks set for bigger and better things.