Your guide to the key races, star horses and best tips on Saturday

On an action-packed Saturday bursting with quality, the world's oldest Classic, the Cazoo St Leger, takes centre stage in Britain with ten contenders set to do battle for the final British Classic of the year. At the Curragh, Irish racing's premier Flat meeting kicks off with a spectacular card headlined by the Irish Champion Stakes.

Saturday cards | Saturday tips | Watch In The Know

Saturday's TV races

1.45 Portland Handicap (5½f, 3yo+) ITV/Sky

2.00 Listed tote+ Stand Cup Stakes (1m4½f, 3yo+) ITV/Sky

2.20 Group 2 Champagne Stakes (7f, 2yo) ITV/Sky

2.35 Homeserve Handicap (1m6½f 4yo+) ITV/Sky

2.45 Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (1m2f, 3yo+) ITV/RTV

3.00 Group 2 Cazoo Park Stakes (7f, 3yo+) ITV/Sky

3.35 Group 1 Cazoo St Leger Stakes (1m6½f, 3yo) ITV/Sky

All races can be watched live for free via Racing Post cards – simply log in to a funded bookmaker account to access the stream

Saturday's big story

The final British Classic of the season, the £743,000 Cazoo St Leger (3.35), takes star billing on an enthralling Doncaster card, with Godolphin's Hurricane Lane certain to start a short-priced favourite.

Winner of five of his six races, including the Group 1 Irish Derby in June, the fast-improving Frankel colt is unproven over the Leger distance of 1m6½f, but gives every impression he will relish the trip.

Hugely impressive when landing the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris by six lengths on his latest start, another fluent victory will see him enhance his claims for further French glory in next month's Group 1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Hurricane Lane faces nine rivals at Doncaster, including the Richard Hannon-trained Mojo Star, who finished one place ahead of him when runner-up to Adayar in the Derby at Epsom in June, and Aidan O'Brien's High Definition, who has long looked the type to excel in the St Leger.

Frankie Dettori partners High Definition for the first time.

Saturday's best bet

1.40 Leopardstown

This lightly raced daughter of Dansili only made her debut in April when she won over course and distance and she improved 18lb on her previous best Racing Post Rating when landing a 1m1f Group 3 at the Curragh last month.

That still leaves her with 5lb to find on hot favourite Mother Earth, but Acanella is evidently improving fast and there could be plenty of further progress in the locker. There is every chance she can make make the improvement needed.
Graeme Rodway

More tipping

Saturday's best horses

There are other fascinating contenders in the St Leger, headed by the Johnny Murtagh-trained Ottoman Emperor.

Winner of his last four races, the son of Excelebration created an excellent impression when taking the Group 3 Gordon Stakes over 1m4f at Goodwood's big meeting this summer, and could be open to further progression at this longer trip.

The Group 2 Champagne Stakes (2.20) presents the Queen's Reach For The Moon with an excellent opportunity to record a third consecutive success.

Reach For The Moon: a top prospect for the QueenCredit: Mark Cranham

Winner of his last two starts by an aggregate of eight lengths, including Sandown's Group 3 Solario Stakes, he is one of the most exciting two-year-olds seen out so far this season.

Laneqash, a lightly raced three-year-old open to plenty of improvement, heads the market for the Group 2 Cazoo Park Stakes (3.00).

It's not just Doncaster which has attracted the stars. Leopardstown's Saturday card, which features five Group races, is also dripping with quality.

There's a fascinating showdown between St Mark's Basilica, imperious winner of the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on his last appearance, and Dermot Weld's Tarnawa in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2.45).

It's testament to the sheer quality of this race that Poetic Flare, a dual Group 1 winner this year, including the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is likely to be only third in the betting.

Saturday's race previews:

1.40 Leopardstown: key quotes as challengers gather against Guineas winner Mother Earth in Matron

1.45 Doncaster: 'He's due a bit of luck this season' – Portland Handicap insight and quotes

2.10 Leopardstown: Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney drops in class and trip in the Boomerang

2.20 Doncaster: star juveniles Reach For The Moon and Lusail clash in early 2022 Classic preview

2.45 Leopardstown: find out what Aidan O'Brien thinks of St Mark's Basilica in the Irish Champion Stakes

2.45 Leopardstown: a tactical conundrum but St Mark's Basilica best equipped to deal with challenge (Members' Club)

3.00 Doncaster: big plus for Laneqash with Jim Crowley on board but Danyah set to have a say too

3.35 Doncaster: Charlie Appleby confident 'class horse' Hurricane Lane will stay St Leger trip

3.35 Doncaster: Hurricane Lane holds trump cards in Leger as he steps into uncharted territory (Members' Club)

Racing Post exclusive offer. New customers can get £30 in free bets. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6 x £5 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets redeemable on horse racing only. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.