The Doncaster St Leger is not only the oldest classic in the UK but also is the longest in distance, run over one mile and six and a half furlongs and is open to three-year-old colts and fillies.
Some true legends of the turf have scored down the years. Never Say Die completed the Epsom Derby and St Leger double in 1954 and the last triple-crown winner Nijinsky completed this final leg in 1970.
So who are the main protagonists in the antepost horse racing betting for 2024?
Unbeaten Jan Brueghel’s price was cut for the St Leger after he battled to a decent Gordon Stakes victory. The victory prompted bookmakers to cut him from 6-1 into 7-2 for the September Classic.
A Gordon Stakes winner has not landed the St Leger however since Conduit in 2008, but two of Aidan O'Brien's previous winners of the race went on to become multiple Group 1 scorers in Highland Reel and Mogul.
I personally think odds of 7/2 are too short about him and I will be looking elsewhere for some better value.
Los Angeles, who held off Sunway in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, is a well fancied 3/1 shot for the St Leger.
In an interview on 16th July, Aidan O’Brien said “We haven't done much with Los Angeles since the Irish Derby, he's sort of on a semi-break. We're not sure what route to take with him yet. Illinois (5/1 in the betting) looks a real stayer.
“He ran very well in France and seemed to love the Leger distance when he won the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. He's definitely in the mix for the Leger, along with a plenty of others and we'll see what way things pan out for them all over the next few weeks.”
David Menuisier’s Sunway (8/1) is due to step up in trip again and is pencilled in for the St Leger.
Winner Market -
The three-year-old is a full-brother to 2021 Champion Stakes hero Sealiway and he ended his juvenile career at the top level when taking the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.
This season he returned to Paris to finish second in the Group Three Prix Greffulhe, where he just got touched off by a neck, and in June he was beaten less than a length after a superb run in the Irish Derby.
I had him down as an Arc longshot and it is still feasible that he may run in both races, so punters need to keep an eye out for what happens with him.
Deira Mile finished a fine fourth in the Derby behind City Of Troy and will have a Leger trial in the Great Voltigeur at York on August 21. He’s currently trading at 12/1 for the Leger but that price is sure to dry up should he put up a bold show in the York feature.
Trainer Owen Burrows would take him for a racecourse gallop instead if the Knavesmire comes up fast but weather forecasts for Ebor week give predictions to the contrary.
Suggested bet: Sunway @ 8/1 (E/W)
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
