ITV Racing Tips on September 11th - St Leger Day selections at Doncaster and Chester
Saturday brings exciting racing action with the 2026 St Leger as its highlight, alongside five live ITV races from Doncaster and two from Chester. Expert tips include Breacher in the Champagne Stakes, Mezcala for the Pertemps Network Handicap, Rosario and Station X each-way in the Betfred Portland. Key recommendations center on horses with recent strong performances and favorable conditions. Bettors are encouraged to target value selections rather than outright favorites, with picks reflecting both form and advantageous draws.
- Free tips for the ITV races on Saturday 12th September
- The St Leger features on a quality card at Doncaster on Saturday
- Breacher, Station X and Mezcala feature in our selections
- ITV Racing Schedule
- 1:30pm Chester - Stand Cup Stakes Tips
- 1:45pm Doncaster - Champagne Stakes Tips
- 2:05pm Chester - Watergate Cup Tips
- 2:20pm Doncaster - Betfred Portland Tips
- 2:55pm Doncaster - Park Stakes Tips
- 3:35pm Doncaster - St Leger Tips
- 4:15pm Doncaster - Pertemps Network Handicap Tips
Saturday's Tips
The final Classic of the season will be run on Saturday, as a strong field of 11 takes part in the 2026 St Leger. ITV Racing will be showing five races live from Doncaster on St Leger Day, plus a couple of decent races live from Chester.
Here are my best betting tips for Saturday's ITV Races at Doncaster.
ITV Racing Schedule
| Time | Track | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30pm | Chester | Virgin Bet Stand Cup Stakes (Listed Race) 1m4½f |
| 1:45pm | Doncaster | Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2) 7f |
| 2:05pm | Chester | Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Watergate Cup (Heritage Handicap) 2m |
| 2:20pm | Doncaster | Betfred Portland (Heritage Handicap) 5½f |
| 2:55pm | Doncaster | Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2) 7f |
| 3:35pm | Doncaster | Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) 1m6½f |
| 4:15pm | Doncaster | Pertemps Network Handicap (Class 2) 1m |
ITV Racing Tips - Saturday 12th September
1:30pm Chester - Stand Cup Stakes Tips
Dubai Honour is the clear class angle in this Listed contest. I don't want to back the favourite at 5/6, but I've got no interest in taking him on either. No bet for me in the opener.
1:45pm Doncaster - Champagne Stakes Tips
I don't think Desert Castle did enough during that debut win at Newmarket to warrant such a short price in this Group Two. Gentle Hurricane and Sergei Diaghilev achieved much more on their most recent starts, as did BREACHER (7/1), who should have improved again for that second career outing at Sandown.
William Muir & Chris Grassick's colt bolted up on debut at Salisbury at the end of June, despite going off at 12/1. Breacher then took his chance in the Solario Stakes at Sandown, where he still looked very green under pressure late on, but kept on strongly under Lewis Edmunds to finish just a length behind Alfred Wallace.
This son of Cracksman is sure to get a mile, and Muir might already have an eye on next year's 2000 Guineas. Staying at seven furlongs shouldn't bother this progressive colt for now, and Breacher looks good enough to challenge the more fancied runners in this winnable Group Two.
2:05pm Chester - Watergate Cup Tips
Cranachan remains well treated and deservedly tops the betting, while Spirit Mixer will be looking to win this race for a third time. One who stands out at a much bigger price is TRIBAL STAR (16/1), and I'm keen to back Jamie Powell's mount.
Tribal Star was only beaten a length when third in the Chester Vase earlier in the season, losing out to the progressive Shrimp Shady and 6/4 favourite Kingstonian. McGuinness has tried his five-year-old over a variety of trips since then with varying results, but the Irish raider returns to Chester carrying a lovely racing weight and has landed a kind low draw in stall two.
2:20pm Doncaster - Betfred Portland Tips
A capacity field of 22 will then run in the Portland. Nine of the last 10 winners had run within the previous 28 days, while 17 of the last 20 came from a double-figure stall.
ROSARIO (10/1) was beaten just half a length in this race 12 months ago, and he'll have another crack at handing Roger Teal his third victory in the Portland.
Rossa Ryan's mount lost his way a little earlier in the season, but returns to Doncaster following a narrow success at Sandown. Despite a three-pound rise for that victory, Rosario remains three pounds lower in the handicap than when he was third behind Eternal Sunshine 12 months ago, and Teal's sprinter has landed a kind draw in stall 13.
Another last-time-out winner worth backing is STATION X (20/1). Bryan Smart's four-year-old has been extremely consistent this season and claimed his third victory of the campaign in a red-hot handicap at Chester three weeks ago.
Station X struck here at Doncaster as a juvenile and wasn't beaten far when second to Lord Bertie on his latest visit to this track. Despite three wins and four placed efforts from eight appearances this season, Jason Watson's mount has risen just five pounds in the handicap, and Station X looks weighted to go well in this wide-open sprint.
2:55pm Doncaster - Park Stakes Tips
More Thunder faces three Group One winners from last season in this classy Group Two. William Haggas' market leader is undoubtedly the one to beat on this season's form. However, at the prices, I'm going to take a chance on WITNESS STAND (14/1).
Dr Richard Newland's five-year-old returned from an unsuccessful spell in the Middle East with a narrow defeat to future Group One winner Ten Bob Tony in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom. Witness Stand then ran a blinder when attempting to retain his Lennox Stakes crown at Glorious Goodwood, finishing just a length behind Lake Forest and Rogue Diplomat.
Marco Ghiani's mount faded tamely from the front in the Hungerford Stakes last month, but the ground at Newbury was far too quick for his liking. Dr Newland has freshened his stable star up since that blowout, and conditions at Doncaster should be much more suitable for Witness Stand.
3:35pm Doncaster - St Leger Tips
Read our full guide to the 2026 St Leger to find out who we've backed in Saturday's Classic.
Visit our St Leger Live Stream page to watch any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet.
4:15pm Doncaster - Pertemps Network Handicap Tips
Saturday's ITV coverage ends with a high-quality eight-furlong handicap. Jack Channon sent out Johan to win this two years ago, and MEZCALA (9/1) looks likely to run a huge race.
Channon's four-year-old hacked up over this course and distance on his reappearance during the Lincoln meeting. After a narrow defeat at Newbury, Mezcala got up in the nick of time to pip Elarak to the post in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
George Bass' mount has only been seen once since then, finishing down the field in the International Handicap after being one of the slowest out of the gates. Channon has had his four-year-old laid out for Doncaster since that run, and the front-running Blue Courvoisier should give Mezcala something to aim at on the high side of the track.
Verdict
Saturday's Top ITV Tips:
Breacher
1:45pm Doncaster
@7/1 - 5 Units
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Mezcala
4:15pm Doncaster
@9/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
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Rosario E/W
2:20pm Doncaster
@10/1 - 5 Units
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in free bets
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Station X E/W
2:20pm Doncaster
@20/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
Promo Code: NEWBONUS
New customers only. Bet £10+ to receive £10 in Free Bets. 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. 18+. GambleAware.org
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