It’s the final classic of the year, the St Leger Festival at Doncaster. This Festival allows us to not only crown the winner of the oldest classic, but also to watch out for the future with plenty two-year-old action too. Today on day three, it’s the big one. The St Leger might look a little subdued on paper with the lack of runners, but it’s still tricky to call.
Beware The Wolf
1:50 – Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group Two) – Wolf Of Badenoch @ 7/2 (General)
I’m trying to work out why Chancellor is favourite, and not Wolf Of Badenoch. He finished second in a Group Two at Goodwood, which is usually the form race, and has the form backed up by Cool Hoof Luke who he beat into fourth. Out of the two horses rated in the race, he’s miles clear at 106 and stands for a lot more. He’s also a C&D winner on similar ground too when he won on debut. Hard not to oppose.
Love Story
2:25 – Betfred Portland (Heritage Handicap) – American Affair @ 10/1 (William Hill)
Last week he was desperately close to winning in the Be Friendly Handicap, but American Affair could well go close again. Paul Mulrennan is back on top, who has won on him before. He keeps her mark of 92 as Shagraan now goes above 100, which gives American Affair a chance to overturn the result. He won’t mind the ground, having won at Musselburgh on a similar surface early on in the year. He’s also drawn on the rail on the far side, which can be an advantage.
Vintage Clarets was eighth in a bunch finish at York last time out in the Symphony Group handicap, and has been lowered two pounds for the run. That puts him on a mark in between two winning marks. That should mean if conditions are to suit, he won’t be far away. He’s also drawn over on the far side, so a slight track advantage as well. 12/1 (General).
Poetry In Motion
3:00 – Betfred Park Stakes (Group Two) – Poet Master @ 5/1 (Betfred, Boylesports)
Poet Master might not be a name that has hit the heights this season, but he has been impressive. Especially in his last race at The Curragh when winning by almost four lengths. Mutasarref, third, went and won the Group Three Desmond Stakes and has a good chance in the Solonaway Stakes over at The Curragh today. With the form backed up, and a winner on this card last year, Poet Master is the one to stick with. Particularly with the price.
Three Of A Kind
3:40 – Betfred St Leger (GROUP ONE) – Illinois @ 2/1 (General)
Aidan O’Brien holds the all the cards in this race, once again. With three extremely talented colts, you could make a case for all of them. But Illinois has been bred for the race. A half-brother to Danedream and black type throughout his pedigree made him look like a Classic winner on paper. He won the big trial for this race, the Queen’s Vase, and was second in two other pointer races in the Grand Prix de Paris and the Great Voltiguer. Only beaten by a neck last time out shows that he will suit a mile and six furlongs down to the ground.
A little forgotten about is Grosvenor Square. Many people will look at him as a pace angle, but don’t forget what he achieved this season. A 20 length win in the Irish St Leger Trial and second to Tower Of London, against older horses too, in the Curragh Cup. Whilst Jan Breughel has impressed the pundits, Grosvenor Square should not go unheard of. Worth a go at 11/2 (BetVictor).
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The very best of luck!
