Opinion Poll out to secure Series hat-trick

Opinion Poll scores a narrow victory in the Artemis Goodwood Cup.  Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Opinion Poll could match Frankel’s illustrious achievements on Friday by winning his third QIPCO British Champions Series race when tackling the Stobart Doncaster Cup on the penultimate day of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster.

Sure to start a warm favourite for the fifth race in the QIPCO British Champions Series Long Distance category after his tenacious victories in the Artemis Goodwood Cup in July and Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup at York in August, Opinion Poll would take Frankie Dettori to the top of the Jockey of the Series table if successful.

Frankie currently shares the lead with Tom Queally with five wins apiece.

Opinion Poll’s trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni, would draw level with Sir Henry Cecil on six winners apiece at the top of the trainers’ leaderboard if his tough five-year-old emerges victorious, but Cecil would still hold the edge with more second places.

Both Al Zarooni and Dettori also hold a fine chance in Saturday’s Ladbrokes St Leger, the sixth Long Distance race in the Series, for which the final declarations will be known tomorrow morning.

Opinion Poll’s seven rivals over the two-and-a-quarter-mile trip include Blue Bajan, a close third to him in the Goodwood Cup, and Bergo, a well beaten third in the Lonsdale Cup.

More dangerous opponents may be Tastahil and Motrice, who finished second and third in last year’s Doncaster Cup.

On this year’s form, however, Opinion Poll looks to have an outstanding chance, with only fast ground likely to hinder his chance, and would then almost certainly be aimed at the final Long Distance race of the Series, the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day, Saturday 15 October.

For the full Stobart Doncaster Cup race page, CLICK HERE.