Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (Group 1)

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 3m 5.72s

(1)

Idaho²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| C

11/2

Won a Group 3 at Chester earlier in the campaign but yet to win a Group 1 in 14 attempts. Fair to say this isn't the strongest renewal of the race and his third behind Stradivarius last time in the Lonsdale Cup was a respectable run. Not dismissed.

Form: 814533

(6)

Twilight Payment^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 107| C| D

12/1

Disappointed in this race last year but he arrives in better form this time around, winning a Listed event at Down Royal before he was only narrowly defeat in a Group 3 last time. More needed but on the up at present.

Form: 36-2312

(2)

Weekender²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114| D

3/1

Finished runner-up in a Listed race at York before a smart effort behind his stablemate back at that course in the Ebor last month. Thriving at present and has a bit of form with cut in the ground from earlier in his career.

Form: 2D-1322

(4)

Cypress Creek²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101

66/1

Maiden winner at Ballinrobe and wasn't disgraced in Listed company at Leopardstown next time. Last of three at Goodwood on his latest start and needs to improve markedly to play a part at this level. Down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 5-22143

(5)

Flag Of Honour²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| CD

2/1

Progressive sort arriving on the back of two C&D Group wins. Had Twilight Payment in behind last time and arrives here 3lb better off at the weights this time around and the yard come in to this in much improved form. The one to beat.

Form: 1-35011

(3)

Latrobe²⁵

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

11/4

Took a huge step forward from his 1m4f maiden win here when winning the Irish St Leger, seen to good effect under a prominent ride. Didn't replicate that in the Juddmonte last month but still unexposed and remains capable of progression.

Form: 2-22117

Forecasts

Flag Of Honour (2/1), Latrobe (11/4), Weekender (3/1), Idaho (11/2), Twilight Payment (12/1), Cypress Creek (66/1)

Aidan O'Brien has enjoyed plenty of recent success in this race with the recently retired Order Of St George and FLAG OF HONOUR may be able to take over the reins and give his trainer a fifth win in the race. Latrobe is better than he showed last time out in the Juddmonte International at York and if he can reproduce the level of form that saw him win the Irish Derby, he shouldn't be far away. Weekender is progressive and can't be ruled out after a huge effort in the Ebor last time. His trainer enjoyed success in this race in the 2011 and 1992 renewals of this race.