Take the plunge with Venture

FINAL VENTURE can defy top weight to claim another Listed victory in the Pepsi Max Scarbrough Stakes on the first day of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster.

Paul Midgley’s stable stalwart must shoulder a penalty for his win in the Achilles Stakes at Haydock back in June, but given his excellent form so far this term, the five-year-old looks up to the task.

He has hardly been disgraced in Group One starts at both Royal Ascot and York’s Ebor meeting, but while the top level is clearly a bit beyond him, he remains a major player in this kind of race.

He only narrowly failed to hit the target at Beverley last time, being beaten just a length by Take Cover after giving a bit of trouble at the start which could hardly have been conducive to a maximal performance.

This actually looks a weaker event than the Beverley Bullet with just a handful of runners and Final Venture is still the best in on official numbers.

Mirage Dancer’s case is probably less clear cut in the Sports ID Strength In Sport Conditions Stakes after being thoroughly outclassed by Cracksman in the Voltigeur last time.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge caught the eye when making a winning debut at this meeting 12 months ago and he certainly has the pedigree as a son of Frankel out of multiple Group One winner Heat Haze.

Following decent efforts in Listed and Group Three company, Mirage Dancer was hammered by Cracksman at York, being beaten 12 lengths in third after trying to make a run from the rear of the field.

The competition is clearly not quite so hot and while Best Of Days is an intriguing rival, Mirage Dancer seems to be a horse of potential who couldreally come into his own next term.

Soldier Blue can shed his maiden tag in the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Stakes.

Now with Brian Ellison after starting life with Godolphin, the threeyear-old showed a glimpse of promise when third at Pontefract back in July and he has a handy little pull in the weights with some more obvious candidates here.

Lethal Impact has been a bit of a damp squib so far but can finally come good in the 32Red Handicap at Kempton.

This Japanese-bred son of Deep Impact possibly needed the run when third over two miles last time and should be a bit sharper for that outing.

Roger Fell took home a nice prize with Burnt Sugar in Ireland over the weekend and Zodiakos can keep up the yard’s good work, albeit at a lower level, in the Andersons Handicap at Carlisle.

Cup Final is clearly not the force of old but can prove good enough in the Betfred TV Novices’ Chase at Uttoxeter.

8-1 Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, held on well near finish, won at York 6f 2yo hcp (2) gs in Aug beating Queen’s Sargent by hd, 17 ran. 9-4 Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo nov stk (4) sft in Aug beating Travelcard by 4l, 5 ran. 20-1 Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, took 4th near finish, not trouble front trio, 4th of 17, 5l behind Demons Rock at York 6f 2yo hcp (2) gs in Aug.

25-1 Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 11l behind Wells Farhh Go at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug. (11) M Johnston 9-7 (D3) ......... R L Moore (18) S Crisford 8-13 .............. S De Sousa (12) R Hannon 8-12 (D) ....................... S Levey (11) C Cox 8-11 ............................ S Hitchcott (11) R Fahey 8-10 (D) .............. P Mulrennan (20) R Fahey 8-7 .................................... P Hanagan (20) R Fahey 8-6 .................. P Mathers (18) C Fairhurst 8-5 .................................. S Gray (26) D Shaw 8-0 ................................ Aaron Jones (3) (8)RHannon8-0 ....................................... KO’Neill (13) O Pears 8-0 (D2) ................ J P Sullivan BETTING: 11-4 Crownthorpe, 4 Nobleman’s Nest, 6 Ventura Knight, 7 Rum Runner, 8 Placebo Effect, 12 Guzman, Lethal Lunch, 14 Toomer, 16 Others.

4-1 Held up behind, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Puchita by 3l, 8 ran. 10-1 Raced centre, tracked leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 10, 18l behind Sands Of Mali at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug. 4-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Cape Bunting at Chelmsford City 7f Conditions Stakes (2yo) (2) pol.

11-1 Always prominent, driven to lead entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs beating Enzemble by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.

4-1fav Mid-division, headway when not clear run from over 2f out until switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug beating Ray Purchase by 1 1/4l, 10 ran. 25-1 Raced stands side in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 19, 10l behind Tangled at York 6f 2yo auc (2) gs in Aug.

11-2 Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 8, 4l behind Crownthorpe at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd. 11-2 Towards rear, niggled along over 4f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Neola at Goodwood 6f 2yo fll hcp (2) sft. 9-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Fyre Cay at Redcar 6f nov auc stks 2yo (5) gf in Aug. (11) P Midgley 5 10-0 (D4) (11) P Midgley 9 9-11 (CD) (29) R Cowell 5 9-11 (D5) (11) C Cox 4 9-6 (D3) (21) N Tinkler 5 9-6 (D3) (8) C Cox 3 9-5 BETTING: 11-8 Final Venture, 3 Encore d’Or, 4 Thesme, 6 Desert Law, 12 Go On Go On Go On, 25 Razzmatazz.

9-2 Unruly prior to start, dwelt, soon chasing leaders, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, 2nd towards finish and closed, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Take Cover at Beverley 5f Listed stks (1) gf. 6-1 Held up towards rear, kept on and no impression inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Doctor Sardonicus at Chelmsford City 5f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Aug. 12-1 Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Desert Law at York 5f hcp 105 (2) gs in Aug. 14-1 Chased winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, edged left and ran on inside final furlong, weakened and lost places towards finish, 6th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Take Cover at Beverley 5f Listed stks (1) gf. 40-1 Off the pace towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, last of 10, 5l behind Take Cover at Beverley 5f Listed stks (1) gf. 50-1 With leader, led over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol beating La Figlia by 1l, 12 ran. TOUGH REMEDY (51) K Dalgleish 9-9 ................... R Scott (5) HAVANA STAR (19) K Ryan 9-7 .................................. K Stott LUCKY LUCKY MAN (15) R Fahey 9-3 ................... T Hamilton DIAMOND DOUGAL (9) M Channon 9-2(6ex) (D) ........... G Lee ADMIRAL ROOKE (27) M Dods 8-13 ............... C Rodriguez (5) BAHUTA ACHA (9) David Loughnane 8-12 ................. L Morris SKYVA (16)BEllison8-9 ........................................... CHardie MABO (19) R Fahey 8-8 .......................................... B McHugh ACROMATIC (77) J J Quinn 8-7 ...................................... J Hart RYEDALE ENCORE (13) T Easterby 8-7 ................ D Fentiman EXCELLENT TIMES (29) T Easterby 8-6 .................... A Mullen THE AULD HOOSE (14) R Fahey 8-5 ........... Sammy Jo Bell (3) FASTALONG (15) T Easterby 8-4 ........... Rachel Richardson (3) LADY SANDY (14) T D Barron 8-4 ............................. F Norton BETTING: 4 Havana Star, 5 Lucky Lucky Man, 11-2 Diamond Dougal, 7 Tough Remedy, 15-2 Excellent Times, 10 Ryedale Encore, 12 Skyva, 14 Admiral Rooke, 16 Others. IM DAPPER TOO (21) J J Davies 6 9-11 (BF, CD) ........... S James CRAZY TORNADO (14) K Dalgleish 4 9-10 (CD) ............... G Lee JORDAN JAMES (75) B Ellison 4 9-6 (CD) .................... L Morris JAY KAY (15) K Burke 8 9-6 (D2) ...................... P J O’Hanlon (7) VENTURA SECRET (15) T Easterby 3 9-2 (BF, CD) ... Rachel Richardson (3) REMEMBER ROCKY (14) Mrs L Normile 8 9-1 (C2, D2) .... Connor Murtagh (7) ARGAKI (5) K Dalgleish 7 9-0 (CD) ............................ C Beasley OREGON GIFT (18) B Ellison 5 8-12 (D) ........ Ben Robinson (5) DREAMOFDISCOVERY (27) Julie Camacho 3 8-11 (D) ... Joe Doyle FORESIGHT (14) K Ryan 4 8-11 ................................... K Stott THORNABY NASH (15) Mrs K Tutty 6 8-10 (CD) ..Gemma Tutty (5) INGLEBY SPRING (11) R Fahey 5 8-10 ................. T Hamilton AFRICAN GREY (144) M Todhunter 3 8-9 ........... J Gormley (7) SUPREME POWER (15)MissTWaggott38-9 ............... JHart BETTING: 11-4 Im Dapper Too, 4 Ventura Secret, 11-2 Jay Kay, 8 Thornaby Nash, 10 Jordan James, Supreme Power, 12 Dreamofdiscovery, Crazy Tornado, 14 Others. CHARACTER ONESIE (16) R Fahey 5 11-2 (D2) ........ I Mongan DETACHMENT (120) J L Eyre 4 11-2 ....................... Ollie Pears HARAZ (8) J Osborne 4 11-2 ................................ Luke Harvey HITMAN (25) Rebecca Bastiman 4 11-2 ............ T McLaughlin MUSTAQBAL (29) M Dods 5 11-2 (D) ................... Dale Gibson OFF ART (18) T Easterby 7 11-2 (C, D) ...................... B Harding SECRET MISSILE (4) D C Griffiths 7 11-2 ........ Rodney Lappin THE GAY CAVALIER (6) J Ryan 6 11-2 ............. D J O’Donohoe THELLO (46) J Goldie 5 11-2 (D2) ....................... Tony Culhane FIRE PALACE (30) R Eddery 3 10-11 ........................ A Nicholls PATCHING (17) G Bravery 3 10-11 (D) ............... Gary Bardwell POETIC FORCE (6) A Carroll 3 10-11 ......................... Doubtful SOLDIER BLUE (45) B Ellison 3 10-11 ........... George Duffield UNDISCOVERED ANGEL (33)KBurke310-11 ...... TonyClark DIAMOND RUNNER (25) L Mullaney 5 11-2 (D) ....... RESERVE POOR DUKE (20) M Mullineaux 7 11-2 (D2) .............. RESERVE BETTING: 5 Off Art, 11-2 Character Onesie, 13-2 Haraz, 10 Soldier Blue, 11 Thello, Detachment, 12 Hitman, The Gay Cavalier, Patching, Mustaqbal, 14 Others.

7-1 In rear, headway 2f out on inner, led final furlong, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Chelmsford City 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Aug beating Aventinus by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.

5th of 7, 12l behind Signs Of Blessing at Deauville(FR) 6f Grp 3 gd in Aug. 8-1 Held up in touch, raced wide, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug beating Firefright by 1 1/4l, 7 ran. 10-11fav Tracked leader, headway to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, pushed out, very easily, won at Salisbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Rebel De Lope by 8l, 7 ran. 9-2 Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Bertiewhittle at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) gd in Aug. 4-1 Tracked leaders, 2nd approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Naval Warfare at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug. 4-1 Led until 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Archetype at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs. 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Archetype at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs.

5-1 Held up in last pair, pushed along to close over 3f out, 3rd over 2f out, not pace to challenge, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Cracksman at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug. 11-10fav Tracked clear leader, took closer order over 3f out, led well over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Midterm at Epsom Downs 1m 2f cond Stakes (3) gd in Aug. 5-1 Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance when hung right 2f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Lord Yeats at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gs in Jul. DISCREET HERO (16) S Crisford 4 9-7 (D3) ................ A Atzeni FUMBO JUMBO (14) M Dods 4 9-5 (BF, D2) ........ P Mulrennan BOGART (14) K Ryan 8 9-4 (D) ..................................... T Eaves VENTUROUS (25) T D Barron 4 9-4 (C) ................... S De Sousa SINGEUR (25) Rebecca Bastiman 10 9-3 (CD) ........ D Fentiman TYLERY WONDER (25) P Midgley 7 9-2 (D4) ..... Oisin Murphy MUATADEL (9) Roger Fell 4 9-1 (CD) .................. P J McDonald TILLY TROTTER (54) D Carroll 3 9-1 (D2) ............. James Doyle FAST ACT (32) K Ryan 5 9-0 (D3) .................................... S Gray FREDRICKA (4) I Furtado 6 9-0 (D5) .............. M Fernandes (7) PENNY DREADFUL (14) S Dixon 5 8-9 (D2) ........ R P Walsh (7) FOXTROT KNIGHT (14) Mrs R Carr 5 8-8 (D4) ........ J P Sullivan SOMEWHERE SECRET (5) M Mullineaux 3 8-8 ...... Phil Dennis (3) BRONZE BEAU (14) Kristin Stubbs 10 8-8 (D12)... Faye McManoman (7) SUWAAN (14) Mrs R Carr 3 8-7 (D2) ....................... P Hanagan CROSSE FIRE (14)SDixon58-7(D7) ......................... KO’Neill BETTING: 11-2 Muatadel, 6 Fumbo Jumbo, 7 Penny Dreadful, Suwaan, 8 Discreet Hero, 10 Bogart, Foxtrot Knight, 14 Tylery Wonder, Crosse Fire, 16 Others.

16-1 Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, went 4th near finish, no impression with leaders, 4th of 17, 6l behind Dream Today at York 7f 2yo mdn (2) gd in Aug. 9-4 Tracked leader 3f, handy in 3rd, not clear run 2f out, soon switched left, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 5, nk behind Yabass at Windsor 1m nov auc stks 2yo (5) gd in Aug. 40-1 Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, edged right and ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Canford’s Joy at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Aug. (16) K McLintock 5 9-10 (CD) .......... D Nolan (20) J O’Keeffe 4 9-6 ................................... G Lee (31) A Balding 9 9-5 (D2) ......... D Probert (16)TEasterby59-3(D3) ................. DAllan (47) J O’Keeffe 6 9-3 (D) ...... J Garritty (18) K Ryan 4 9-3 ........................................... K Stott (32) Roger Fell 4 9-3 (D3) ..................... T Hamilton (39) T D Barron 4 9-2 (D) ............. B A Curtis (20) Sally Haynes 5 9-1 (D) ......................... T Queally (39) K Dalgleish 3 8-12 (BF, C) ......... P Makin (109) R Fahey 3 8-7 ........................................ B McHugh BETTING: 7-2 Zodiakos, 9-2 Saint Equiano, 11-2 Gurkha Friend, 13-2 Highland Colori, 8 Mohab, 10 Candelisa, 12 Lavetta, Instant Attraction, 14 Others.