THERE were doubles for John Ryan and Willie Mullins at Kilbeggan’s final fixture of the year and Minella Cyclone (8/1) looks a nice prospect for the former after landing the WTW Willis Maiden Hurdle over two miles.

Having run well in a point-to-point for John Nallen, the imposing Harzand gelding, owned by the We Win Farming Syndicate, which is run by Aidan O’Sullivan and Jack Broderick and includes broadcaster Hector Ó hEochagáin, disappointed in a bumper here in May.

On his first run over flights, he tracked a good pace under J.J. Slevin and led before the last to relegate Astelia to second place for the eighth time in her career, with four and a half lengths between them at the line.

“He’s probably six weeks away from being hard fit and we were giving him a run today, to be honest. He won just through pure class,” said Ryan.

“No screws have been turned on this horse yet. He’s a winter horse really, he’s 17hh-plus. We’ll go to Cheltenham in November with him.”

’He’s a great servant’

Also carrying the colours of the We Win Farming Syndicate, the Daniel King-ridden Smallcraftwarning (18/1) won the Sean Hughes Memorial 110 Series Final Handicap Hurdle over three miles, one furlong.

The nine-year-old was one of many in with a chance jumping the last and found most to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Cooladdi.

“He’s a great servant. Just this year wasn’t his year, he had his palate fired and things here and there,” said Ryan.

“That ground is probably just what he can get away with. It’s great to get a double for the syndicate.”

THE Marie Donnelly-owned Fou De Toi (2/1 favourite) completed Willie Mullins’ brace in the Midland Veterinary Beginners Chase over two and half miles. Second on his chase debut at Ballinrobe, the Motivator gelding took over two out to post a comprehensive eight-length success over Los Blanco.

“I think cheekpieces were the main addition to him, they helped him concentrate,” said rider Paul Townend, before adding: “He was going as quick as he could early on, but his jumping kept him in it.”

Six-length romp for Radley

Boo Radley (6/1) had earlier led home a one-two for Mullins in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles, three furlongs.

Stablemate Speed For Fun was odds-on favourite and tried to make all, but a bad mistake three out opened the door for Charlie O’Dwyer’s mount to come out on top by six lengths.

Patrick Mullins, who owns the Masked Marvel gelding in partnership with bookmaker Brian Keenan, explained: “I’m delighted to get a winner with Brian, I was best man at his wedding.

“I told him he’d win a bumper, but we had a reason every time for his first few runs. He’s a very small horse, but he’s a three-parts brother to two decent horses. The pedigree would suggest he’ll go further, that’s what Brian tells me anyway.”

SOLDANTE’S victory in the Kilsaran Handicap Chase over two and half miles gave trainer Ciaran Murphy his sixth course winner of the year and provided Kinnegad rider Kevin Healy with a first success at his local track. Owned by breeder Pat McCormack along with David P. McCormack and Sarah Glynn, the Soldier Of Fortune gelding made headway from three out and led jumping the last to beat Butter Fingers by a length and three-quarters.

The 11/2 chance did hang right and tighten up a couple of rivals on the home turn, for which Healy received a three-day suspension for careless riding.

“Pat had never had a winner here, so we said we’d come here and have one go. It’s been a dream for him. He’ll be a horse that we keep going for the winter, he’s not just a summer horse, and he might be one that could travel.”

Close finish

A dual winner for Gordon Elliott, My Trump Card (20/1) recorded a first win for John McConnell when coming from well off the pace in the Sean Daly Memorial Handicap Hurdle over two miles. The Shantou gelding, owned by the Wise Guys Syndicate, benefited from a strong gallop and swept past Hopeful Hero close home for a half-length victory. “He’s a big galloping horse and things happened quickly for him today. We went hard throughout and things fell into my lap,” said rider Alex Harvey.

“Since John got him he’s done a brilliant job, he’s really sweetened him up and it was a great confidence boost for him there.”

Easy win for Begger

The concluding Clarke’s Electrical Contractors, Castletown Geoghegan Beginners Chase over three miles produced a remarkable outcome with 66/1 outsider Begger coming home alone after his three rivals all hit the deck. Racing in rear under Ben Harvey, the Workforce gelding was left a moderate third when odds-on favourite My Great Mate fell three out and was way behind when the remaining pair, Chanceawetmorning and Moonovercloon, both came down at the last.

“It was very fortuitous. I hate celebrating when other people have had a misfortune, but we’ll take it,” said trainer William Harvey. “We have a great crew involved in the GQ Syndicate. It was put together after a very good friend of mine, Graham Quinn, passed away.”

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Maltese Cross will miss the 250th St Leger despite winning the Great Voltigeur, leaving Christmas Day, Pierre Bonnard and Enceladus among the leading Doncaster contenders

How the Latest St Leger Trials Have Narrowed the Classic Field

The strongest St Leger trial of the summer produced a winner who will not be at Doncaster. Maltese Cross beat Pierre Bonnard by two lengths in the Great Voltigeur at York on 19 August, with Derby winner Christmas Day another two and a quarter lengths back in third. William Haggas has confirmed that Maltese Cross will skip the Classic for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on 4 October.

Anyone following horse racing betting online now has to assess the 250th St Leger, scheduled for Saturday 12 September, without the horse who just beat two leading candidates.

Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard, both trained by Aidan O’Brien, are now central to the Doncaster picture.

York Settled One Question and Created Another

The Great Voltigeur had six runners on good ground over 1m 3f 188yds. Maltese Cross completed it in 2:32.04.

The George Waud-owned colt took over from Pierre Bonnard two furlongs from home and stayed on to win by two lengths, with Christmas Day third.

Maltese Cross had been second to Christmas Day at Epsom in June before winning the Grand Prix de Paris over the Arc distance. York made it four wins from five starts this season.

Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard both carried 5lb Group 1 penalties. O’Brien expected them to improve following their break after the Irish Derby. Pierre Bonnard had finished third at the Curragh, while Christmas Day had won at Epsom.

Haggas has removed another staying three-year-old from the equation. Melrose winner Infraad will instead run in the Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot on 2 October.

Four Doncaster Cases Now Stand Out

The trials have left several different routes into the St Leger:

- Christmas Day won the Derby before finishing third in the Great Voltigeur.

- Pierre Bonnard finished closer to Maltese Cross at York and briefly led in the straight.

- Enceladus won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and remains unbeaten this season.

- Hatteen won the St Leger Trial Novice Stakes at Doncaster on 9 July, beating According To Mark and Count Bezukhov.

Christmas Day still faces the distance question. The St Leger adds another two furlongs and 132 yards to the Derby trip. Aidan O’Brien has won the race many times and has two serious candidates this year.

Joseph O’Brien's Enceladus brings a different form line. His Gordon Stakes win and unbeaten season put him among the contenders outside the York pair.

Hatteen's trial victory came at the same track where the Classic will be decided.

The Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh on 22 August was won by six-year-old Queenstown, making it more relevant to the older staying division.

Maltese Cross Has Changed the Market Without Running

Maltese Cross leaving does not turn the St Leger into a two-horse race. It does remove the runner who beat both leading O'Brien contenders at York.

Christmas Day has his Epsom win behind him, while Pierre Bonnard finished ahead of him in the Voltigeur. Enceladus brings an unbeaten campaign rather than Derby form.

Hatteen sits in another part of the market. For each-way betting, his Doncaster trial win provides a different case from the shorter-priced O'Brien pair.

Declarations can still move prices. The Great Voltigeur has already removed one major variable: its winner is heading to Paris rather than Doncaster.

Doncaster Has the Final Distance Test

The 250th St Leger will be run without one of the summer's most progressive stayers. That makes the field narrower, but not straightforward.

Christmas Day has the Derby. Pierre Bonnard finished closer to Maltese Cross at York. Enceladus is unbeaten this season, while Hatteen has already won at Doncaster.

On 12 September, the extra distance changes the question again. Epsom and York have supplied the form. Doncaster will decide how much of it still holds over a mile and three-quarters.