St Leger Preview
The long, hot British summer is slowly drawing to an end and with it comes the culmination of the Flat Race season. St Leger is one of the most prestigious races in the flat season calendar – open to thoroughbred colts and fillies and is always hotly contested in Doncaster.
William Hill St Leger Stakes
St Leger is one of the oldest races in the British racing calendar with the inaugural race taking place in 1776. The 1 mile, 6-furlong contest is one of Britain’s five classic races and is the last one of the five to be run each calendar year.
It also completes the much-coveted Triple Crown along with the 2000 Guineas and the Derby and is always one of the highlights of the flat race season.
With a purse of £700,000 across the race and nearly £400,000 on the line for the winning owner – guiding a horse to victory at the St Leger can be a very lucrative business indeed. The qualification for the Grade 1 race is three-year-olds + (excluding geldings) and some of the brightest young talents on the UK Horse Racing scene will be vying for the prize in Doncaster once again.
However, it’s not just horse owners and jockeys that can make money from this prestigious event. If you know the right tips and you know the best horse racing betting strategies, then punters can also see some financial action as well.
Date & Time
Saturday 15th September 2018 – 15:35 (GMT)
St Leger Stakes Outright Winner Odds:-
The St Leger is one of the most prestigious races on the calendar and this year’s 12 horse field looks more open than ever before.
Here are the key runners and riders for the St Leger Stakes:
Lah Ti Dar – 2/1 (Bet365)
A horse of real pedigree, Lah Ti Dar has long been held in the highest regard in the racing world; she has impressed greatly by winning the Galtres Stakes on her last showing. Injuries have hampered any progress throughout the summer, but connections will be hoping to see a swift return to fitness here. The only doubts may lie in how well recovery from injury has gone as she is clearly the outstanding candidate in the field.
Kew Gardens – 9/4 (Coral)
One of the form horses on the scene at the moment – epitomised by his impressive third place in the Great Voltigeur – Kew Gardens looks to be arriving in Doncaster as one of the hot favourites. With a Grand Vase and Grand Prix de Paris in the bag – the St Leger would top off the season and he looks well placed to be in contention in Doncaster on Saturday.
Old Persian – 8/1 (888sport)
He’s a serial winner who has only suffered defeat once in his last 4 races – a defeat that came in a high-class field at the Irish Derby. Renowned as a real talent for the Godolphin stable, all signs suggest that he has the quality and ability to compete at this level. The major question mark lies in suitability for the increase in trip as he is as yet unproven over 1 mile 6 furlongs.
Loxley – 11/1 (William Hill)
Another horse stepping up in class and quality, Loxley destroyed the field in his last showing at a Group Two race in Deauville and he will be hoping for a repeat performance here. Could be a serious contender if he gets the draw and can keep up with the big guns early on.
Southern France – 16/1 (Ladbrokes)
A horse that has slowly made his way through the ranks following a run of placed finishes (most notably in the Queens Case and the Irish Leger Trail) but the inability to get over the winning line frequently means his odds for the win are lengthy. Proven at 1 mile 6 furlong and will be in contention if things go his way.
Dee Ex Bee – 20/1 (Betsafe)
The Investec Derby runner up showed real promise back in June and will want to back that performance up here. The extra distance and lack of subsequent form look like the key question marks but if he finds form again here he could be a serious contender – especially if the predicted rain falls on what should be a firm track.
Raymond Tusk – 20/1 (Betfred)
The Glasgow Stakes winner arrives in Doncaster in good form following an impressive second place in the Geoffrey Freer to cement his place as one of the elite colts in the UK. The major issues lie in the inexperience across the 1 mile 6 trip and the obvious step up in class – to a Grade 1 event – but if he responds well, he is more than capable on his day.
Top Pick – Lah Ti Dah – 2/1 (Bet365)
Each Way Pick – Loxley – 11/1 (William Hill)
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