15:35 Doncaster

Saturday 16 September 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:55

William Hill St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 3m 4.04s

(9)

Capri⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120

3/1

Followed a respectable sixth in the Epsom Derby with a win in the Irish Derby last time, narrowly holding off Cracksman. Yet to prove his stamina for this trip but not fully exposed yet and he won a Group 2 on soft ground last year; should run well.

Form: 13-4361

(8)

Count Octave²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 104| BF

20/1

Fine effort behind Stradivarius in a muddling contest at Royal Ascot on fast ground but disappointing favourite in Listed company subsequently. Proven over the trip but soft ground is an unknown and others arrive with stronger form.

Form: 3-1522

(1)

Crystal Ocean⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 114| BF

5/1

Beaten by Permian in the Dante and then Royal Ascot but step up in trip on soft ground saw him in a better light in a Goodwood Group 3 last time. Gives the impression he'll be even better over this trip and he's less exposed than most in here.

Form: 2-1331

(2)

Defoe²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 113

6/1

Progressed well, winning all four starts this campaign. As good if not better in soft conditions so won't mind any rain that falls and seen to best effect when held up off a strong pace, which he should get here. Plenty to like about his chances.

Form: 20-1111

(5)

Douglas Macarthur²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114

33/1

Won a Group 3 on fast ground at Leopardstown but has been disappointing subsequently upped in class. Steps up to this trip for the first time but likely to struggle and may be here on pacemaking duties.

Form: 4-21754

(11)

Raheen House⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: B J Meehan| OR: 110

14/1

Good fourth, finishing a place behind Crystal Ocean at Royal Ascot and enjoyed a drop in class, winning a Group 3 at Newmarket last time. This is much tougher and he's unproven on soft ground but gives the impression he will stay this far at least.

Form: 14-2341

(10)

Rekindling²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 114

10/1

Winner of a Group 2 over a similar trip at the Curragh and while he was no match for Order Of St George last time, he ran well in defeat. Won't mind the ground here and probably more to come so not dismissed.

Form: 0-14012

(6)

Stradivarius⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 116

9/2

Progressing with every start and built on his win at Royal Acsot by getting the better of Big Orange at Goodwood last time out. Could improve further if he settles better and drop back in trip could help there, but may not want any more rain.

Form: 41-1211

(4)

The Anvil⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108

66/1

Just a Dundalk maiden win to his name and used as a pacemaker in the Epsom Derby. Same role again in the Irish Derby and there has to be a fear he'll be deployed in similar fashion here; down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 30-1308

(3)

Venice Beach^p,t²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

12/1

Landed the Chester Vase in May, with subsequent Derby winner in behind and respectable efforts in defeat since, including when second to Cracksman in a Group 2 at York. Needs more here but gives the impression he will stay this far and goes on soft.

Form: 311032

(7)

Coronet²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113

8/1

Won a Listed contest at Newmarket at the end of last season and impressive when winning a Royal Ascot Group 2. No match for Enable on her other runs this campaign and probably better on faster ground but she gets the vote of the stable-jockey.

Form: 1-35142

Forecasts

Capri (3/1), Stradivarius (9/2), Crystal Ocean (5/1), Defoe (6/1), Coronet (8/1), Rekindling (10/1), Venice Beach (12/1), Raheen House (14/1), Count Octave (20/1), Douglas Macarthur (33/1), The Anvil (66/1)

A particularly competitive renewal of the world's oldest Classic, with very few in the line-up without some sort of chance. Crystal Ocean was impressive last time out, giving the impression he will be even better over this longer trip. However, preference is for STRADIVARIUS who got the better of top stayer Big Orange last time in the Goodwood Cup and provided there's not too much rain, he could be hard to beat, despite Dettori opting for Coronet. Defoe has been in fine form throughout the season and both trainer and jockey have an excellent record around here; he won't mind any rain that falls and should be thereabouts, while Ballydoyle first-string, Capri, is another who would appreciate some cut in the ground.