Ed Chamberlin horse-by-horse guide to St Leger at Doncaster
I can’t wait to present the world’s old Classic – the William Hill St Leger – from Doncaster on Saturday.
We’ll be joined on ITV1 by Brough Scott to take a look back at some of the great renewals of the race including Nijinsky’s victory in 1970. We’ll also have footage of my own favourite Leger – Oh So Sharp in 1985 – when she completed her own Triple Crown.
This year looks a really good renewal and here’s my runner-by-runner guide.
CAPRI: I was amazed he wasn’t favourite a couple of weeks ago – he’s a Classic winner with the best form in the book. I know I mention it a lot but this time last year I visited Ballydoyle and Aidan O’Brien had identified this as his Racing Post Trophy horse and possibly the best two-year-old in the yard.
Then again before the Investec Derby there was a big word for him – and while it didn’t work out there – we saw the finished product in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. He’s the most likely winner of the race although I do wish he’d run in the Great Voltigeur at York, a race the Ballydoyle team prep their Leger horses in.
COUNT OCTAVE: I spoke to trainer Andrew Balding earlier in the week and he described this fellow as a horse for next year. Quite rightly they can’t resist a crack at the Leger with him and he’s capable of better than we saw in a muddling race at Goodwood last time but still it looks a tough task.
CRYSTAL OCEAN: Was trading as Leger favourite for a long time and another colt who has always been held in high regard. There was money for him for the Investec Derby before he ran in the Dante at York but it took until the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood for the penny to drop. I wouldn’t want the ground to get too soft for him and I just wonder if he’s ready for a test like this just now? We’ll see on Saturday.
DEFOE: I could morph into Alan Partridge if he passes the post first on Saturday with all the football puns at our disposal. He’s an improving colt too and is four from four this year. This is a big step up but I like the fact he’s already beaten older horses and if it’s genuinely soft ground he’ll be a player – but the weather forecast is mixed on that front and as I write this on Thursday it’s glorious sunshine with a drying breeze.
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR: Ran an amazing race in the Investec Derby considering how quick he went. I then fancied him in the Irish version but was a tiny bit disappointed with him there. Capri is much more convincing for the yard.
RAHEEN HOUSE: Brian Meehan thinks this is the forgotten horse in the race and he did it very nicely at the Newmarket July Meeting last time. Must do better still here though.
REKINDLING: More battle hardened than some of these and tested the waters in against Order Of St George at the Curragh last time. He didn’t handle Epsom as well as some in the Investec Derby and strikes me as the sort who could go well at a price here.
STRADIVARIUS: Fancied by many in the ITV team – including Matt Chapman – but I was struck by the comments of Johnny Murtagh in the immediate aftermath of this fellow’s win in the Goodwood Cup. He just questioned whether the horse would have the speed for this test and while drying ground may be in his favour – I think John Gosden has a more likely candidate to continue his great Leger record
THE ANVIL: Used as pacemaker at Epsom and the Curragh the last twice and will no doubt be sent forward as the gates swing open again.
VENICE BEACH: No match for Cracksman in the Great Voltigeur at York last time and while there’s no disgrace in that – hard to see him beating stablemate Capri for starters.
CORONET: My each-way fancy in the race and in the best possible hands with John Gosden. She’s tough and ran a really good trial when second to Enable in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. The trip will suit her – I loved the way she won the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot – and she looks to hold very solid place claims.
VERDICT
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