Today’s St Leger Stakes betting preview: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the final field
Field of 12 line up for the Group 1 St Leger as John Gosden saddles the hot favourite Lah Ti Dar
JOHN GOSDEN has won the St Leger on four occasions, and he saddles the hot favourite Lah Ti Dar this year.
She goes head to head with Kew Gardens in a brilliant renewal of the final Classic of the season.
1. Dee Ex Bee (12-1) - Mark Johnston/Silvestre De Sousa
Talented colt who finished second in the Derby behind Masar at Epsom in June.
He hasn't really gone on as expected, with defeats at the Curragh, Longchamp and Goodwood.
This 1m6.5f stamina test should suit him, though, so he has realistic each-way claims.
Mark Johnston on Dee Ex Bee
“Since the Derby the St Leger has always been a target.
“But I'm very uncertain about what to expect because he's been very laid back at home.
"I'm not really going to be much wiser until he's heading into the 12/13th furlong.”
2. Kew Gardens (2-1) - Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore
Improved throughout the season, winning easily at Royal Ascot before landing a French Group 1.
Shaped nicely under a penalty when finishing third behind Old Persian in the Great Voltigeur at York.
This trip is no problem and he has a leading chance for his powerful stable.
Coolmore's Michael Buckley on Kew Gardens
“Kew Gardens is in very good form, we were very pleased with his trial in the Great Voltigeur where he carried a penalty.
“The trip is fine, the ground will suit and he's a Group 1 winner already."
3. Loxley (10-1) - Charlie Appleby/James Doyle
Progressive profile having won a Listed race and a Group 2 in France on his last two starts.
Stepping up in distance today but he shapes as though he should last home over the extended 1m6f.
Open to plenty of improvement still. One to consider very closely.
Charlie Appleby on Loxley
“Loxley has a nice progressive profile.
“We're confident that he's a stronger individual than he was at Newmarket earlier in the season and we hope he can be competitive this weekend.
"I'm very happy with the ground and both horses are versatile."
4. Nelson (50-1) - Aidan O'Brien/Michael Hussey
Smart form last year, winning a Group 3 before pushing Roaring Lion close at Newmarket.
Good start to this season, too, but has been on pace-making duties of late.
Could easily run into a place if let loose on the lead with his stamina seemingly assured.
Michael Buckley on Nelson
“Nelson finished third in the Queen's Vase so he will stay and should improve from his run in the Great Voltigeur."
5. Old Persian (8-1) - Charlie Appleby/William Buick
Tough four-year-old who has held his form well this year, winning four times from six starts.
Forced to battle when winning the Great Voltigeur at York and showed a willing attitude.
Not certain to stay this longer trip but a danger to all if he does last home.
Charlie Appleby on Old Persian
“He has been a model of consistency this year with just one below-par run in the Irish Derby.
"He's come out of the Great Voltigeur really well and I can't give a negative going into Saturday.”
6. Proschema (66-1) - Tom Dascombe/Richard Kingscote
Started the season with two victories, including an 11-length romp at Haydock.
Upped in class and not so good since then, although he did run a good third at York last time.
Hard to see him troubling the likes of Kew Gardens and Lah Ti Dar.
Tom Dascombe on Proschema
“He's probably up against it but he will like the trip and the ground.
"He's a very honest horse and although on form he has plenty to do I am sure he will give his running."
7. Raymond Tusk (20-1) - Richard Hannon/Andrea Atzeni
Second to Loxley earlier in the season and ran out an impressive winner of a Listed race at Hamilton two starts ago.
Possibly not at his best when second in a muddling Group 3 at Newbury last time.
Still unexposed and a lively outsider for Richard Hannon.
Richard Hannon on Raymond Tusk
“He is a horse we have always liked a lot, he is lightly raced so it is always possible that he will improve further.
“He did not race as a two-year-old, the ground and track will be massively to his liking, he gets the trip and I just hope he settles.
“Andrea is certainly the right man to have on board at Doncaster, but it is a stronger race than I thought it would be but he represents massive value at 20/1!”
8. Southern France (14-1) - Aidan O'Brien/Seamie Heffernan
Has improved steadily throughout the season since winning a Listed race at Navan in May.
Chased home stablemate Kew Gardens in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and given plenty to do when fourth at the Curragh last time.
Should be fitter for that run and he is well worth a place on the shortlist.
Michael Buckley on Southern France
"He is in good form and will appreciate the test of stamina as he proved in the Queen's Vase.
“He had a break after Ascot and his run in the Irish St Leger trial should set him up nicely for this.”
9. The Pentagon (25-1) - Aidan O'Brien/Wayne Lordan
Looked an exciting prospect last season, ending his campaign with a third to Saxon Warrior in a Group 1.
Hasn't fulfilled his potential this season, for all he did take a step in the right direction when fifth in the Great Voltigeur.
Needs to improve drastically for the step up in trip to enter calculations.
Michael Buckley on The Pentagon
“The Pentagon finished fifth in the Great Voltigeur and everything on his pedigree suggests he should appreciate the step up in trip."
10. Zabriskie (100-1) - Aidan O'Brien/Jim Crowley
Won a Tipperary maiden last season and finished third in the Dante in May.
Hasn't reproduced anything like that level of form in three subsequent starts.
Outsider of the field will struggle to play much of a part.
Michael Buckley on Zabriskie
“Zabriskie was third in the Dante and his first run back from the Derby was in the Great Voltigeur.
"That should set him up nicely for tomorrow and Jim Crowley is in the saddle."
11. Lah Ti Dar (15-8) - John Gosden/Frankie Dettori
Unbeaten filly was a hot favourite for the Oaks earlier in the season but missed that race due to injury.
Back with a bang at York last month when winning impressively in the Galtres Stakes.
Should handle this step up in trip and rates a leading contender.
John Gosden on Lah Ti Dar
"She missed a great deal of the season as she was sick but she comes here fresh. She won in good style at York and she's pleased us since.
“This looks a good renewal of the race and last year's was as good as you get.
"I'm realistic as she’s a filly who has only had three races but the track and the long straight will suit her.”
12. Maid Up (25-1) - Andrew Balding/Rob Hornby
Likeable filly has not stopped improving all season, winning a Group 3 at Goodwood last time.
The form of that race is questionable, but there is no doubting her desire to win.
Supplemented for this race at a cost of £50,000 and she could sneak into a place.
Andrew Balding on Maid Up
“She is a filly who has improved leaps and bounds all year.
"We know she stays well so I hope we can run into a place, that would be fantastic.
“She has won plenty of prize money this year and there is only one St Leger, so with sporting owners they were keen to have a go.”