St Leger Day blog including news, pictures and all the Sky Bet reaction

St Leger Festival Blog Recap

• Saturday's results in full

1620: That's where we bring the live blog to an end but thanks for joining us on a Classic afternoon of racing, where the cream rose to the top.

1615: Sadly for the one remaining Pick 7 contender, Westerland's victory means it is curtains in this weekend's game.

RESULT 1.50 Doncaster

1st Westerland (13/8)
2nd Regimented

Click here for full result and free video replay

1610: So, the Arc sounds a definite possible. That Sky Bet price of 9/1 is non-runner, no-bet which I should have highlighted earlier. Click here for the full market, which is of course topped by mare Enable at evens.

1554: It's a first St Leger for Ryan Moore. His bucket list is getting shorter by the month.

It's a fifth for Aidan O'Brien, who as well as claiming "Doncaster is a great place" said: "He had a little blip at York time (when he missed the Great Voltigeur). We were a little worried coming here, but Ryan gave him a class ride.

"All four of the lads were handy and everyone was happy with the pace Michael (Hussey) was going on The Anvil. He's a horse with a lot of class, which we saw in the Irish Derby. When Ryan wanted it, he gave it to him.

"Seamus (Heffernan) rides him a lot at home and has always been a big believer in him. He always said he had class and that he would stay. Ryan had ridden him once before when winning the Beresford on him, but that was last season. I was a bit worried about that as well, but it all went great."

He added: "As he had a blip at York we were worried coming here, but that he would improve a bit for the run. We had it in our heads that if all went well today and everything went well after he could run in the Arc.

"Obviously the lads (Coolmore) will decide what they want to do - run him again or put him away. He's probably a mile-and-a-half horse with class, so he'd have no problem going a mile and a quarter. He has a great cruising speed and we always thought he had courage and stamina as well as class."

1551: Now then, where next for Capri? The Arc de Triomphe is two weeks tomorrow and that must be under consideration for this horse.

Sky Bet make him 9/1 from 20s for Chantilly and 5/1 from 12/1 for next year's Ascot Gold Cup.

1545: A brilliant race as Capri shows a serious amount of stamina to hold off classy runner-up Crystal Ocean and the strong stayer Stradivarius.

Bob Cooper suggested on ATR that the Flying Childers had been 'the race of the season'. Whether you agreed with him or not at the time, that juvenile head-to-head has been surpassed by this Classic battle up the long home straight.

The Anvil was paddling at the top of the stretch after setting a suicidal gallop but that played right into the hands of his stablemate, who got first run of his market rivals and really toughed it out in the closing stages.

Hats off once more to team O'Brien who get the tactics spot on in the biggest moments of the season.

The 2017 Classic story ends as it began with a tactical masterclass from the best in the business.

RESULT 3.35 Doncaster

1st Capri (3/1 favourite)
2nd Crystal Ocean
3rd Stradivarius
4th Rekindling

Click here for full result and free video replay

1534: They've paraded in front of the stands and all taken it fairly well. Coronet has a bit of an ugly head carriage but that's nothing new and she promises to be suited by the trip. Of all the O'Brien horses, I do keep coming back to Venice Beach, who looks immaculate and as fit as he's ever been. He's now 14/1 at Sky Bet, who are paying the four places.

Good luck with your St Leger bets.

1530: Interesting move for John Gosden's Stradivarius in the Leger betting. He was the big drifter earlier in the week but his form just keeps working out from Royal Ascot and James Doyle is hardly a negative booking despite Dettori preferring Coronet. It's great to see Doyle in such a rich vein of form again.

SKY BET EXTRA PLACE

Extra Place – Sky Bet paying FOUR places instead of three in the St Leger.

1520: A good boost for team O'Brien ahead of the next race - the William Hill St Leger, due off at 3.35.

1518: We're not even halfway through today's £100,000 Pick 7 game and sadly potential winners have been whittled down quite considerably.

Follow the live leaderboard right here.

1511: Bit more reaction from the Park Stakes as trainer Hugo Palmer confirms the Breeders' Cup is on the agenda for Godolphin's Home Of The Brave: "Huge run from Home Of The Brave on ground that he doesn't love. Only out of the 3 once in his last 9 starts. All roads lead to @BreedersCup."

1507: Seahenge, who did attract some support after moving to post well, delivers on his Naas debut promise with a first Group race success.

The son of Scat Daddy, who is making a serious name for himself in the stallion stakes, was well beaten by Expert Eye at Glorious Goodwood when last seen in the Vintage Stakes.

He didn't look entirely straightforward today, but won with something in hand at the line. Sky Bet introduced the colt as a 25/1 chance in the betting for next year's 2000 Guineas.

The winning rider said: "He was very aggressive going down to the start, so I wanted to take my time with him. When they quickened from the three I just got caught a bit, but I let him find his feet and when he picked up two out I thought he'd get there.

"My lad will be suited with stepping up in trip again and I think he's a nice horse."

RESULT 3.00 Doncaster

1st Seahenge (8/1)
2nd Hey Gaman

Click here for full result and free video replay

1458: Quick market update ahead of the Champagne. Mythical Magic is a best price 5/2 with Sky Bet, with Dream Today the one being supported at 11/4. The O'Brien pair, namely Mendelssohn and Seahenge, have been trimmed in the betting at bigger prices.

"He looks magnificent," says Simon Crisford of his Red Mist, who has been pleasing connections with his homework in Newmarket lately.

1454: Aclaim really tries, doesn't he? Lovely little horse with a kind way of going, and one no doubt we would all love to own.

1447: Champagne Stakes Price Boost - Mythical Magic to win by a length or more enhanced from 100/30 to 4/1

1445: The feature Listed prize at Chester goes to the way of well-backed jolly Duretto for Andrew Balding and Graham Lee.

1442: Park Stakes reaction from winning jockey Oisin Murphy, who is eyeing a first top-class victory of his career on Aclaim: "I got a lovely tow into it, it was a bit tight but when you are on a class horse I'd rather do that than waste ground and come out.

"He's been very well prepared by connections, they deserve a lot of credit. I haven't won a Group One yet, but it would be lovely if I got the opportunity in France (Prix de la Foret)."

For a young man with nine Group Two victories on his dance card, it surely will not be long before this quality rider opens his account at the highest level.

1438: Good little race coming up at Chester featuring Duretto and Soldier In Action. Rich Legacy the outsider of the field but surely capable of playing a part if on a going day.

1435: Aclaim's next possible targets include the Champion Sprint at Ascot and the Prix de la Foret, for which Sky Bet make him 14/1 and 10/1 respectively after today's tidy victory.

1430: Good ride from Oisin Murphy as easy-to-back Alcaim defies the market drift with a fairly comfortable. He showed a good attitude to come between front-runner Spirit Of Valor and Nathra around the furlong marker and looks set for a return to Group One company.

RESULT 2.25 Doncaster

1st Aclaim (3/1)
2nd Nathra
3rd Spirit Of Valor

Click here for full result and free video replay

1415: It's the Park Stakes up next at 2.25 and Aidan O'Brien saddles a couple at big prices. If I was forced to have a fiver on the race it would go on Spirit Of Valor, although the versatile Aclaim is going to be tough to beat.

He's been going well on the gallops this week, according to our Catching Pigeons correspondent.

1403: That was Spring Loaded's second success on turf, having made his name on the all-weather scene. However, the clues were there for all to see after he flew home late in the day over a similar trip at Chester earlier in the month.

"What a horse!" exclaims trainer Paul d'Arcy. "What a horse to train.

"He had a bad draw at Chester, things just haven't gone his way on turf."

Haynes was celebrating his biggest career success to date, and said: "I'm absolutely delighted, a big thank you to Mr d'Arcy and the owners for letting me ride him, it's brilliant.

"We knew there would be a lot of pace on and it was always going to suit him. As soon as I asked him, he picked up. It felt good."

Oh, Mr d'Arcy...

1355: What a staggering performance from Spring Loaded, who spreadeagles the field with a devastating turn of foot towards the stands side under Joey Haynes.

That was a supposed to be a competitive handicap...

Vibrant Chords definitely the one to take from the race as he's done best of those drawn in single figures.

RESULT 1.50 Doncaster

1st Spring Loaded (12/1)
2nd Vibrant Chords
3rd Justanotherbottle
4th Lexington Abbey
5th Pipers Note
6th A Momentofmadness

Click here for full result and free video replay

1345: Ryan Moore's mount Lexington Abbey and well-handicapped Harry Hurricane the two attracting late support ahead of the Portland.

A flying start for this man?

1340: Disappointing start for team Godolphin as the Charlie Appleby-trained Bay Of Poets can muster only fourth in the Group Three Prix du Prince d'Orange at Maisons-Laffitte.

They'll be hoping for better at Doncaster, where the boys in blue have a very tidy record, especially around this time of the year.

1333: Show Palace (11/4 favourite) wins the opener at Chester and it's course specialist Franny Norton doing the steering for trainer Jennie Candlish.

1325: First race of the day at Chester coming up at 1.30 and our star columnist Richard Fahey saddles Ballesteros.

Check out the leading trainer's thoughts on all of his weekend team by simply clicking on his smiling face below.

1320: Before all that it's the Portland Handicap over five and a half furlongs. That's noteworthy as it's unique kind of distance. So you want a quick one, but form over six furlongs can't be a bad thing either.

Punters have clearly latched onto Vibrant Chords for Henry Candy and Adam Kirby while the other one for money is Dean Ivory's Stake Acclaim, who has been in good form since his Stewards' Cup no-show.

At bigger prices, Robert Cowell's Evergate is being nibbled, along with Roger Varian's Compas Scoobie under that man Atzeni.

Don't forget, the Portland, due off in half an hour at 1.50, is the first Pick 7 race and also carries the First Race Special moniker.

If your selection in the 1.50 at Doncaster finishes 2nd, 3rd or 4th then Sky Bet will return your stakes (up to £20) as a free bet.

1248: The Leger is the standout, sure, but today's support card is stacked with class and complexity, with the Park Stakes and Champagne Stakes both carrying Group Two status.

The former looks open with Aclaim looking to go one better than when second to Brando in France, while Iffraaj colt Mythical Magic has some star quality about him and goes into the Champagne 2-2 after a maiden win at Ascot and a Listed triumph at Deauville.

If the Godolphin runner doesn't quite deliver as expected, perhaps Mark Johnston's Dream Today will be the one to capitalise. He landed the always informative Convivial Maiden at York's Ebor meeting and the third home Laugh A Minute has already franked the form by winning here earlier in the week.

Doncaster 2.25 Price Boost – Aclaim to win by a length or more enhanced from 11/4 to 100/30

Doncaster 3.00 Price Boost – Mythical Magic to win by a length or more enhanced from 100/30 to 4/1

1235: As well as The Catt, we have free tips from some of the best in the business, which I have brought together for your perusal here:

• Ben Linfoot's Value Bet
• Simon Holt's selections
• Oli Bell's guide to the TV action
• Catching Pigeons gallops gossip
• Malcolm Boyle's Stat Attack
• Man On The Spot's Pick 7 tips
• Anita Chambers best bets

You're welcome...

1222: Jamie Lynch of Timeform has just made an excellent point (I know, I should not be surprised) in his ATR interview with Mike Cattermole.

So many of the British racing Festival blow their top early on - I'm thinking Cheltenham and Royal Ascot here, but there are others - and yet Doncaster build beautifully throughout the week from Wednesday's 'Lester Legends Stakes' to Saturday's St Leger.

It's surely how it should be. Would anyone be against moving the Queen Anne from the opening race at Ascot to the Friday or Saturday? Well, yes of course they would. But I would be in favour.

As an aside to my Lynch love-in, Catt has provided us with his selections for the day here.

1208: If you want to shoot for the stars this afternoon, why not sling some selections in for the Pick 7 game? It is completely free to play, and there is a jackpot of £100,000.

Enter your predictions right here.

1202: Atzeni's Doncaster record really is something special.

Here's what Ben 'Value Bet' Linfoot noted earlier in the week: "The king of Doncaster moniker probably under sells Atzeni’s record on Town Moor. He has ridden 51 career winners at the track from 243 rides at 21 per cent. He has finished in the top four 54 per cent of the time. He’s won over £2million in prize money thanks in part to two St Legers and four Racing Post Trophies. He’s +£82.84 to £1 level-stakes for his career at the track."

Since when, Atzeni has won on Mount Logan on Wednesday, and banged in a double on Laugh A Minute and Eugino on Thursday. He drew a blank from three rides yesterday but looks to hit straight back on Compast Scoobie (1.50), Breton Rock (2.25), Red Mist (3.00), Defoe (3.35), Maksab (4.10) and King Bolete (5.55).

1155: Enough (for now) of what I think - here's the views from connections ahead of today's action at Town Moor, including a good line from Doncaster maestro Andrea Atzeni on his ride Defoe.

"He's got a different kind of profile to Kingston Hill (also trained by Varian) but, mentally, I'd say they are very similar. It's hard to tell how good he is, or when we are going to get to the bottom of him."

1150: Dettori's mount Coronet is one of today's main market movers on the Doncaster card. They are as follows:

1.50 – Evergate 14/1 from 18/1

3.00 – Dream Today 3/1 from 4/1

3.35 – Coronet 6/1 from 8/1

4.45 – Muntazah 9/2 from 6/1

1140: Here's a man who knows a thing or two about the St Leger and what it takes to win that silly cap with the tassels.

Frankie has won the Leger five times in the past and he's made the decision to partner Ribblesdale Stakes winner Coronet over Goodwood Cup winner Stradivarius. It's worth noting they are a similar price in the market.

1125: ST LEGER - EXTRA PLACE OFFER
Live Sky Bet odds on Doncaster 3.35

Whatever your view on the big one, Sky Bet are offering FOUR places (1/5 odds) instead of the standard three on the race. On that basis alone, I'm leaning towards Venice Beach, who looked like his Voltigeur run at York would bring him on physically, and Queen's Vase runner-up Count Octave, who I tipped antepost at 25/1 and is now 28/1 in places... He's also Ben Linfoot's big-race selection in today's Value Bet column.

1115: The 2017 St Leger looks a good one. I say 'looks' as we probably won't know that for a fact until after the race, possible into next year.

Could Stradivarius, Rekindling or Count Octave develop into 2018 Ascot Gold Cup contenders? Could Crystal Ocean and Defoe be King George types next summer? I'd be inclined to answer to the affirmative if pressed.

And then there's the O'Brien (snr) mob. Four of them. As an Irish Derby winner, where he beat Cracksman no less, Capri is the standout on all measures. He's rated 120 in Britain. Harbour Law and Simple Verse - the past two winners - were 102 and 108 respectively.

But that also must offer some hope to some of the lesser lights going into today's race. It is a new test for a lot of these horses and comes at a stage of the season when not every animal enjoys the distinct chill in the air we've been feeling of late.

1108: There's still a great deal to come in the 2017 Flat season, not least Champions Day at Ascot, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting, the Breeders' Cup over the pond. And yet Leger day definitely has a feeling of bringing something to a close on these shores - it is, after all, the final Classic of the season.

Here are the winners so far (see if you spot a general theme):

2000 Guineas - Churchill (Aidan O'Brien)
1000 Guineas - Winter (Aidan O'Brien)
Oaks - Enable (John Gosden)
Derby - Wings Of Eagles (Aidan O'Brien)

1055: Marketing teams can spend hours on end trying to come up with the perfect name for something - I wonder how long they discussed this particular outlet...

It reminds me of a smashing evening out I had in Doncaster some years ago that ended with a late night visit to Donny Kebab in the centre of town. Magnificent.

1050: Sadly for each-way thieves, 25/1 shot Grand Koonta is out of the Champagne Stakes at 3.00 (apologies for the blend of 12 and 24-hour times here, but no race I know has ever started at 1500 BST) which means we're down to just the seven runners.

On the plus side, he's the only non-runner on the card at Town Moor after the going remained Good to Soft, Good in places on the Straight Course. Let's hope it stays that way.

1045: Good morning and welcome to our live and interactive coverage of William Hill St Leger day at Doncaster. 'Interactive, you say?'. Oh yes, we welcome your feedback here at Sporting Life and would love to know your thoughts on the big race today. So why not drop me, Matt Brocklebank, an email at racingfeedback@sportinglife.com.

I'll post the pick of your correspondence right here on these pages in a bid to unearth one or two gems ahead of the fourth and final day of the Festival at Doncaster.