15:40 Doncaster

Saturday 14 September 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 4.52s

(6)

Deira Mile^b1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 110| BF

28/1

Wide-margin winner of Windsor novice on return before running a cracker in first-time cheekpieces when 7½ lengths fourth of 16 in Derby at Epsom. Only just failed back from a break in listed race at Windsor 3 weeks ago but free-going ways is a concern going up in distance. Change of headgear.

Form: 324-142

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(3)

Grosvenor Square²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Gavin Ryan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112

7/2

Has clearly improved for the step up to this trip, worn down only close home in Curragh Cup before runaway winner of Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh 4 weeks ago, Hard to know exactly what he achieved for latter success (main rivals below form) but respected all the same.

Form: 31-3721

(7)

Illinois²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116

11/4

Progressive sort who proved his stamina for this trip when winning the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Good second in Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp next time before going down only narrowly in Great Voltigeur at York. Solid claims.

Form: 3-32122

(4)

Jan Brueghel⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114

11/4

Galileo colt who was a wide-margin winner of a 10-runner maiden at the Curragh on debut and overcame the rise in class/greenness to follow up in 10f Group 3 there. Toughed it out well to maintain his unbeaten record in Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and extra distance promises to suit. Big shout.

Form: 111

(2)

Sunway^t⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Soumillon| T: D Menuisier| OR: 115

11/2

Winner of Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on final 2-y-o start. Yet to score this season but took form to another level when ¾-length second in Irish Derby, staying on strongly. Again shaped like a stayer when fourth in King George at Ascot so big run expected stepping up in trip.

Form: 1-52724

(1)

Wild Waves^h²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: A M Balding| OR: 95| CD

40/1

Looked very progressive when winning first 2 handicaps, latterly over this C&D. Can have a line put through next run (slipped badly) and got back on the up when fourth of 16 in Melrose at York, coming from further back than the trio that beat him. Remains with potential but this is a big ask.

Form: 4-51104

(5)

You Got To Me^t²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 113

13/2

Won Oaks Trial at Lingfield on return before making the frame in Oaks at Epsom and Ribblesdale at Ascot. Took another step forward fitted with a tongue strap when winning the Irish Oaks at the Curragh before good second in Yorkshire Oaks. Likely to stay and receives 3 lb from the colts.

Form: 5-14412

Result Amended

Deira Mile - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 4th.

Sunway - Original Position 4th. Amended Position 3rd.

Forecasts

Jan Brueghel (11/4), Illinois (11/4), Grosvenor Square (7/2), Sunway (11/2), You Got To Me (13/2), Deira Mile (28/1), Wild Waves (40/1)

Aidan O'Brien typically holds a strong hand as he bids for a seventh success in the oldest Classic, while Ralph Beckett tries to win this with a filly once again, but SUNWAY looks the value call. His close second in the Irish Derby puts him right up there in terms of form and the longer distance promises to suit. The unbeaten Jan Brueghel has the most potential in the field and rates the main threat, though stablemate Illinois is also well in the mix on his narrow Great Voltigeur second.