THE ANTEPOST ANGLE - ST LEGER

John Arnold looks ahead to the final classic of the season as all eyes descend on Doncaster's premier race day and the Group 1 St Leger. History:

The St Leger Stakes, inaugurated in 1776, is the oldest Classic horse race in the world, held annually at Doncaster Racecourse. Established by Colonel Anthony St Leger as a way to promote horse racing in the area, the race was originally planned as a local event but quickly gained popularity, becoming a significant fixture on the British racing calendar. Run over a distance of one mile and six furlongs, the St Leger is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds and has maintained its reputation as a crucial stepping stone for horses hoping to achieve greatness in the racing world.

Throughout its long history, the St Leger has witnessed countless memorable moments and legendary equine champions. Notable winners include the likes of Serpentine, who claimed victory in 2020, and Nijinsky, who completed the Triple Crown in 1970.

Trends:

Age- Race is for 3yo only 

Price- 6 of last 12 winners were fav/joint favourites, 10/12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting

Last Run- 8 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before the race, 9/12 winners placed on last run 

3/12 ran in the Great Voltigeur Stakes (York) on their last run, 2 of the 3 won, 1 placed

Course Form- 1/12 winners had 1 previous run at Doncaster, 1/12 winners had at least 1 previous win at the course

Distance Form- 6/12 winners had at least 1 run over 13 furlongs or further 

Rating- 10/12 winners were rated 109 or higher

Contenders:

The antepost market at the time of writing is dominated by Ballydoyle contenders. Despite losing Ryan Moore for the rest of the flat season Aiden O’Brien can call upon a string of quality pilots so I would not be concerned of unfamiliarity by anyone tasked to ride for him in this final flat Classic. SCANDINAVIA has excelled this season with each race. He built upon a placed finish at Royal Ascot with a storming win at Newmarket in the Bahrain Trophy and then went to the Goodwood Cup and lowered the colours of his stablemate Illinois with little fuss. That was over two miles and this is a drop back so stamina is not an issue. I would expect Wayne Lourdan to retain the ride on the Justify colt and he will like the galloping straight of Doncaster. LAMBOURN won the Derby under that jockey in June stretching away from the field at Epsom and completed the Irish double soon after. But he was underwhelming last time out at York in the Great Voltigeur and I think the Australia colt will need to be wound up earlier here. CARMERS was a solid second in that race and I think will give a good showing here. The Wootten Bassett colt brings in plenty of improvement from this season's assignments. I think his trainer Paddy Twomey would not be travelling from across the Irish Sea for the ambience. 

Selections:

SCANDINAVIA (WIN)

CARMERS (E/W) written by John Arnold