15:35 Doncaster

Saturday 15 September 2018

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

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

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 3m 3.34s

(3)

Dee Ex Bee⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 114| BF

9/1

Followed up a narrow defeat in the Chester Vase with an excellent staying on second in the Epsom Derby. He's disappointed since but he's long given the impression he will appreciate this test and any cut in the ground will be in his favour.

Form: 322732

(8)

Kew Gardens²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116

3/1

Impressive winner of the Queen's Vase and wasn't seen to best effect when a staying on third in the Great Voltigeur last time at York behind Old Persian. 2lb better off at the weights with that rival and should go well back up in trip.

Form: 329113

(9)

Loxley²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 112

6/1

Runner-up in the Bahrain Trophy before a pair of dominant displays at Deauville, most recently in a Group 2. Has shaped like he may want this trip but not guaranteed to stay on breeding and the way he's been campaigned suggests he wants soft ground.

Form: 17-1211

(1)

Nelson²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106

50/1

Dual Group 3 winner who has been hard to predict since his most recent success at Leopardstown. Ensured a strong gallop for his stablemate when well beaten in the Great Voltigeur last time and may be performing a similar duty here.

Form: 2-16356

(12)

Old Persian²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 117

8/1

Not seen to best effect when sixth in the Irish Derby but made no mistake when an impressive winner of the Great Voltigeur last time at York (Kew Gardens, Nelson and The Pentagon in behind). Not certain to stay this far though and this is tougher.

Form: 121161

(2)

Proschema²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 105| C

50/1

Won his maiden here on soft ground at the start of this year and followed up in a four runner race at Haydock next time. Not disgraced in the Melrose over a similar trip to this at York but this is a big step up in class and others preferred.

Form: 116843

(7)

Raymond Tusk²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Hannon| OR: 107

25/1

Highly thought of by connections, tried in the Coral Eclipse on just his third start. Justified favouritism when dropped to Listed company at Hamilton and he ran well when a staying on second in a Newbury Group 3 but sizable improvement needed here.

Form: 12612

(11)

Southern France^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

20/1

Won a Leopardstown maiden before winning a Listed race at Navan. Stepped forward again when runner-up in the Queen's Vase and the Irish St Leger Trial since was probably a prep for this. Yard in better form now and may come on for his latest run.

Form: 21124

(4)

The Pentagon²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

20/1

Hasn't added to his Leopardstown Group 3 win last year but he's posted several eye-catching efforts in defeat since, including in the Irish Derby when making late headway. Gives the impression he will relish this test up in trip and not discounted.

Form: 3-33855

(5)

Zabriskie²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

80/1

Just a maiden win to his name and he's looked limited in most of his subsequent outings. Interesting that connections are continuing with him at this level but there's little else in his favour here and there are no signs he wants this sort of trip.

Form: 18-6308

(10)

Lah Ti Dar²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115

7/4

Unbeaten in three starts and couldn't have been more impressive on her return from a break at York in Listed class when a 10L winner. More than likely there's plenty more to come from this classy filly but she's not guaranteed to stay this trip.

Form: 111

(6)

Maid Up²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 105| C

20/1

Narrowly denied by a smart filly in the Lillie Langtry and built on that with a win in a three-runner event at Goodwood when dropped to Group 3 class. Stamina proven but this is a big step up in class and may not want the conditions to turn soft.

Form: 311121

Forecasts

Lah Ti Dar (7/4), Kew Gardens (3/1), Loxley (6/1), Old Persian (8/1), Dee Ex Bee (9/1), Southern France (20/1), Maid Up (20/1), The Pentagon (20/1), Raymond Tusk (25/1), Nelson (50/1), Proschema (50/1), Zabriskie (80/1)

KEW GARDENS has been holding his form well throughout the quiet spell the yard have endured this summer but with Aidan O'Brien's string back in form, and stamina assured, he rates as the likeliest winner. Stablemate The Pentagon has given the impression on multiple occasions that he will be suited by further and he's expected to produce an improved effort here. Ante post Oaks favourite Lah Ti Dar got her season back on track with a demolition of her rivals in Listed class last time, maintaining her unbeaten record and she must be considered the main danger if she sees out this trip while Dee Ex Bee has been crying out for a proper stamina test such as this.