Coolavanny Rebel (Droopys Scolari-Coolavanny Angie, Jul 13) took eleven spots off the Doncaster 450m track record, the third time it has been broken this year.
The 4-5 chance made a slick break from five and figuratively disappeared over the hillside. He beat Ballymac Godsend by just over seven lengths in 27.31 (N). A model of consistency, Rebel’s 37 race career has produced 13 victories and 12 seconds.
The night’s other big talking point was the return to the track of last year’s Doncaster St.Leger runner-up Romany Rouge (Head Bound-Milliesupreme, May 13). Richard Devenish’s evens favourite lay just off the pace with Coney Cashen (T6 8-1) dictating terms. But Rouge switched up a gear after a circuit and pulled away for a length and a half victory in 41.87 (N) for 661 metres. As a time comparison, Swift Curie won last year’s final in 41.23.
The £8,000 Yorkshire St.Leger closes at noon on Tuesday September 6 with the first round staged the following Saturday.