The final British Classic of the Flat season is here – the St Leger at Doncaster.
Daily Mail Sport’s expert Sam Turner runs through the 11 runners vying for glory and the £390,000 prize pot in the 3.35pm feature race on Saturday afternoon…
ACTION
Creditable runner-up to Item in York’s Dante Stakes back in the spring, but has regressed in four starts since, admittedly all at Group One level. Hard to imagine him bouncing back to form here, even over a new trip.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★
ALDERMAN
Ran a fine race in the Derby when a huge price, but disappointed on latest start at Newmarket when upped in trip. This new distance represents a step into the unknown.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★
CHRISTMAS DAY
Winner of the Derby in testing conditions before running commendably in the Irish version which placed less emphasis on stamina. A shade below-par in a strong renewal of the Great Voltigeur last time and could easily bounce back upped in trip.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
ENCELADUS
Progressive Royal Ascot winner who confirmed he would be a force at Group level with a smooth victory in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. A sizeable unit with gears, he may find further improvement over this new trip with the cheekpieces applied for the first time.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Enceladus is a progressive Royal Ascot winner who reinforced his status at Glorious Goodwood
GALIYAN
Looked a horse going places courtesy of a maiden win at Chester in the spring, but his career has stalled somewhat since, including when too keen for his own good at York in the Voltigeur last time out. Others preferred.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★
GOLDEN STORY
Juvenile maiden win at this venue reads well given he beat the now 106-rated Infraad with comfort and is less exposed than most. Capable of better going forward but can race exuberantly and would need to settle better to see out this trip.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★
HATTEEN
Has progressed with each run this summer and posted a sizeable career best in handicap company at Goodwood on his latest start. Has already proved his effectiveness at this venue and will appreciate any cut in the ground. Live chance at a double-figure price.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
HIGHWAYMAN
Most of his early days were spent as a hold-up performer, however a mid-season switch to staying trips and more aggressive rides have unmasked excellent results. More required at this level, but he is with the right trainer to achieve just that.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
PIERRE BONNARD
Has appeared a likely type for this assignment for a while, with this more demanding test of stamina sure to suit. Reversed placings with his old rival and stablemate Christmas Day at York, so there is unlikely to be much between the pair here again.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
REBEL ROCKER
Likeable colt who outran his odds in the Derby to take sixth at a sizeable price. Entitled to be sharper for his first run since then when fourth in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury but did not hit the line strongly there and there is a strong suspicion he will be outstayed here.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★
AMELIA EARHEART
Quirky filly who was well beaten in the British and Irish Oaks prior to disappointing in the Lillie Langtry Stakes. Back to form in a Cork Group Three, but difficult to see her being able to challenge at this level.
Sam Turner’s star rating: ★
Sam Turner’s verdict: Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard already have solid Group One form and, although it was disappointing the duo were beaten in the Great Voltigeur at York, their conqueror (Maltese Cross) is second favourite for the Arc next month. Goodwood winner ENCELADUS must improve again to reach their level but has the scope to do just that and can give trainer Joseph O’Brien his second win in the race following Galileo Chrome’s success in 2020. Hatteen is a likeable stayer and can emerge best of the bigger-priced contenders.
Meanwhile in Ireland, trainer Ed Walker is happy to see Almaqam fly ‘under the radar’ as he plots the demise of old rivals Constitution River and Item in Saturday’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.
The enthralling Group 1 Leopardstown showpiece has drawn together the first three home from last month’s Juddmonte International, along with sixth-placed Hawk Mountain, with Almaqam looking to reverse placings with winner Item.
Constitution River, winner of the French Derby and Coral-Eclipse, was beaten three and a half lengths on the Knavesmire yet is favourite to turn the tables on the two English raiders, a scenario which surprised Walker.
‘I was quite interested when I saw the headline about the Juddmonte rematch in the Racing Post this week and Alamqam didn’t get a mention which made me chuckle,’ he said.
‘He’s actually been fresh and well (since York) and has been in great form – he’s come out of the race very well.
‘Realistically, he’s probably got two more targets left this year in the Irish and English Champion Stakes and he is really well suited with a little bit of ease in the ground.
‘He’s just had two very frustrating dry summers which has made life very difficult for us.
‘He is very good on his day and if he goes under the radar, then that’s fine by us.’
