St Leger 2013

Eleven declared for the 236th running of the St Leger, racing's oldest Classic, although Galileo Rock looks likely to be withdrawn with rain expected overnight.

John Gosden has won three of the past six renewals (Lucarno 2007, Arctic Cosmos 2010 and Masked Marvel 2011) and saddles current favourite Excess Knowledge. He looked unlucky when beaten a head by Cap O'Rushes in Goodwood's Gordon Stakes (Secret Number fifth, Havana Beat seventh). I've seen a couple of hints for Secret Number (16/1 generally) on the back of that performance but I'm not convinced.

Leading Light, winner of the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, looks Ballydoyle's first choice and should have no problem with the trip while stablemate Foundry may be less exposed but isn't readily dismissed - he didn't look full wound-up when beaten by Telescope in the Great Voltigeur.

On official ratings Libertarian, second in the Epsom Derby, is bang there with every chance. William Buick was reunited with the colt after his original mount, Feel Like Dancing, clearly didn't feel like running and failed to appear amongst Thursday's final declarations. The horse ran something of a stinker in the Irish Derby - connections were convinced the very quick ground was against their charge that day - but he hasn't been seen since which tempers enthusiasm.

Target, the only filly in the field, faces a stiff task - the last filly to oblige was User Friendly in 1992.

We've seen some big priced winners in recent years including Mastery, 2009, 14/1; Arctic Cosmos, 2010, 12/1 and Encke, 2012, 25/1.

This looks an open affair with the forecast rain certain to play a part. The Ballydoyle pair catch my eye; Foundry won his maiden on soft ground while Leading Light clearly has the necessary stamina.

Leading Light (9/2 generally this evening) is the suggestion.

St Leger 2012

Tomorrow many will be hoping for a fairy-tale ending as Camelot bids to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Nijinksy performed the feat back in 1970. The layers clearly feel Aidan O'Brien's inmate can take the 235th running of this, the oldest Classic, as they have priced the colt up as 2/5 favourite.

John Gosden and William Buick are looking for a hat-trick of their own, having won the previous two runnings with Arctic Cosmos (12/1) in 2010 and Masked Marvel (15/2) last year. This year Gosden saddles three, Dartford, Michaelangelo and Thought Worthy; the first-named is quoted at 300/1 and will act as a pacemaker. Buick thought long and hard before eventually opting to ride Thought Worthy; Dettori picks up the plum ride on Michaelangelo. The stable jockey explains his choice in today's Times - Michaelangelo has bags of potential but Thought Worthy has the form in the book and in the past has shown a willing attitude when push comes to shove.

A quick look at what happened in the Great Voltiguer is 'de rigueur'. Thought Worthy won that day but many feel Buick nicked the race from the front and will fancy Main Sequence to turn the tables - Encke was third that day and Thomas Chippendale fifth.

Thomas Chippendale would prefer cut underfoot and there's a suspicion the same comment applies to the improving Ursa Major.

Four favourites have obliged in the past decade but none since Sixties Icon obliged at odds of 11/8 in 2006. With Camelot such a short price, I'm going with Buick - Thought Worthy is the each-way selection at 11/1 (William Hill). At the time of writing the following bookmakers are offering each-way terms a quarter the odds  - bet365, Sky Bet, Boylesports, Paddy Power and Ladbrokes.   

Quick suggestions on St Leger Saturday

Very quick suggestions for St Leger Day...

4/1 Blue Bunting for the Doncaster Classic (3.10) has disappeared but 7/2 still represents a value play against favourite Sea Moon.

Only six go in the Irish Field St Leger; 12/1 about Red Cadeaux would have made some each-way appeal if eight had made the line-up.

Tomorrow there are two long distances races with several NH types taking part. In the 8.20 at Kempton I'm going to take a small each-way interest in Katies Tuitor. This one obliged for my 50th birthday celebrations at Kempton when in the care of Brendan Duke and won the 2008 Totescoop6 Summer Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen when trained by Charlie Mann..He's clearly had his problems but hinted at a return to form for current connections last time out; the gelding prefers racing right-handed and the stable are going well.

In the Bath 5.00 race Waldsee has fewer miles on the clock than some of these and rates a tentative each-way suggestion.         

Mixed musings of an inconsequential nature

In last month's Yorkshire Oaks Sariska refused to leave the stalls allowing Henry Cecil's Midday to collect the spoils. Three and a half weeks on and something remarkably similar happened in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp this afternoon; once again Sariska failed to come out of the stalls and Midday took the spoils. Connections immediately retired Sariska while Skybet have shortened Midday to even money for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

There was a bit of a turn-up in yesterday's St. Leger at Doncaster where the Godolphin even money hotpot, Rewilding, failed to fire, coming home a well-beaten sixth behind John Gosden's 12/1 chance Arctic Cosmos. Corsica (40/1) from the Mark Johnson yard ensured there was no hanging around, setting a searching gallop and staying on stoutly to finish third, beaten a nose for second by the Aidan O'Brien trained Midas Touch. Meanwhile over in Ireland Olivier Peslier brought 13/8 favourite Sans Frontieres to the front with a well-timed run to record a comfortable three quarter length win from market rival Profound Beauty. This represents a first Group One win for owner Sir Robert Ogden; connections have indicated that the Melbourne Cup in November is 'very much on the cards.'

Some potentially interesting race readers to keep an eye out for with (the threat of) Christmas just around the corner...

Ruby: The Autobiography by Ruby Walsh [publication date to be announced];

Kauto Star & Denman by Jonathan Powell;

Gentlemen and Blackguards: Gambling Mania and the Plot to Steal the Derby of 1844 by Nicholas Foulkes;

Race Profiles - Jumps 2010-2011 by Dr Peter May;

No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone by Tom Bower [publication date to be announced].


Plenty has been written over the past week on the antics of England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney. By some distance the most amusing article I came across was Frank Skinner's piece in Friday's Times. I had to smile at this particular line: 'Ms Thompson said, on one occasion, when Rooney approached her in a hotel, that Michael Owen looked at him with disgust. Apparently this caused Owen to pull a muscle in his face and he has been out of action for six weeks.'

Last night the contestants in Strictly Come Dancing 2010 were allocated their dance partners and told to go away and practice for three weeks. The layers, never ones to miss an opportunity, have already priced up the field. Mrs Tips comes into her own with this sort of stuff - her verdict on Gavin Henson was particularly harsh (in case you were tempted by 20/1); personally I thought Gavin bore a remarkable resemblance to Fireman Elvis Cridlington of Fireman Sam fame.

Finally, one of next Saturday's features is the Ayr Gold Cup; the Morning Line guest, advertised in advance, is the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP MP. Forget the politics, Alex Salmond rates an entertainment in his own right and ranks high on a list of people I'd care to have dinner with. I shall rise early in time for next Saturday's scheduled transmission.

St Leger day 2010

Two St Legers take place tomorrow with ten set to face the starter in the English version at 3.20 while eight go to post in the Irish equivalent twenty five minutes later.

Doncaster plays host to the 233rd running of the world's oldest Classic horse race; tradition has it that the first born child on the day of the race is granted life membership of the track on reaching the age of sixteen. Racing may well have tradition aplenty but, as today's Daily Telegraph reports, all is far from rosy in racing's garden. On paper Rewilding looks to have this renewal at his mercy and has been priced up accordingly - this evening the layers go 8/1 bar the Godolphin hotpot. A couple of quick stats - six favourites have obliged in the last decade while only six fillies have won the race since the war, the last to do so being User Friendly in 1992. Having said that the last six Oaks winners have finished in the places so Snow Fairy may make some appeal as an each-way wager (8/1) although connections admit they don't know whether she'll stay the trip and are unlikely to let their charge take her chance should heavy ran arrive before the off. James Given's Dandino is progressive but I'm not really inclined to get involved; if I relent I'll consider Sir Michael Stoute's Total Command each-way at 33/1. [How often do you seen one at that price for this trainer? Well, twice in the last month actually!] The Sadler's Wells colt didn't appear to stay the trip when third in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and is forgiven his ninth in the Voltigeur behind Rewilding as the trainer reported his charge had suffered from a skin and joint infection before York and as a consequence needed the outing.

The Irish St Leger at the Curragh looks a more competitive affair with several layers going 9/4 each of two Profound Beauty and Sans Frontieres. John Dunlop's bay gelding Tactic (8/1) beat the first-named over course and distance at the end of June but has since disappointed in the Goodwood Cup and current stable form is poor. Jeremy Noseda expects a big run from Sans Frontieres who looked good winning the Geoffrey Freer on soft ground at Newbury last time out; connections will consider a tilt at the Melbourne Cup if all goes well here. In a trappy-looking race, I side with Dermot Weld's Profound Beauty.

Round-up

Channel 4's coverage of the St Leger at Doncaster highlighted the tradition where the town's first-born child on the day of the race is given life membership of the track when reaching the age of sixteen; this year's recipient was Thomas Peter Talbot who entered this world thirteen minutes after midnight on the day in question.

Now I admit I was dozing a little but I'm sure I heard Channel 4's Jim McGrath say something like this during commentary. 'It's a glorious day to be watching horses. Of the four-legged variety, several look [well with the sun on their backs]'. Now, was Jim McGrath trying to make a statement there about the existence of horses with more / less than four legs?

On an altogether more sombre note, following the recent tragic deaths of two apprentice jockeys, Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson, Julian Muscat wrote an excellent piece in Tuesday's Times that highlighted the spartan existence of the racing apprentice.

If you're a jump jockey, the chances are you won't get a chance to ride in the Derby; that said, the next best thing has to be a ride in the Jump Jockeys' Derby Handicap. Sam Thomas won Thursday's renewal over Epsom's Derby course on the appropriately-named Epsom Salts, the horse carrying the burden of eleven stones and five pounds to victory!

Of some potential interest to some readers - former Southampton player Matt Le Tissier's admission in his recently published autobiography that he was part of a failed betting scam is likely to result in both the FA and the police asking further questions; in South Africa a pigeon has carried 4Gb of data to its destination faster than broadband; and if you want a big win at the races for a small stake, Kevin Knight's experience would suggest you're better off knowing nothing about racing whatsoever...

Finally my junk mail item of the week comes from Virgin Trains. I quote: 'Treat yourself like Royalty with First Class travel... Whether you are attending the unveiling of a stately home's new garden, your brother's birthday, or any other engagement, it's always nicer to have some special treatment on the way.' Attending the unveiling of a stately home's new garden? Where did that come from?

St Leger day in England and Ireland

Only eight go to post for the St Leger at Doncaster; on paper the race appears to be between the first four in the betting - Kite Wood, Changingoftheguard, Monitor Closely and Father Time. Of that quartet, Henry Cecil's Father Time looks to offer best value as the horse is bang there with a chance provided you forgive his last effort in the Great Voltigeur. Kite Wood has a favourite's chance but I'm slightly put off by the fact he would prefer more cut. Changingoftheguard will not be inconvenienced by fast ground but there are reservations about the ability of Monitor Closely to last home. The winner has come from the first three in the betting on nine occasions in the last ten years, with the favourite obliging six times. I'll take a chance with Changingoftheguard.

At the Curragh I can't oppose the legendary Yeats. Whatever happens, we have to bear in mind that, with the advancing years, this could be the last time we'll see him on a racecourse.

Others I'll take a closer look at before the off include Cat Junior in the DFS Park Stakes at Doncaster, Mac Love in a tight-looking Group 3 at Goodwood (2.40) and Cloudy Start in the 3.55 at Chester.

Saturday's St Legers

Two St Legers for the price of one tomorrow, with Doncaster hosting the English version at 3.10 and the Curragh the Irish version at 3.35.

On official ratings Look Here looks the one for the English contest; her performance last time out in the Oaks was impressive. She has been backed during the week and is currently a 4/1 shot which is just about right. If I have a reservation, it's the fact that she has been off the track for ninety nine days. Over the years Sir Michael Stoute's failure to win this race has generated plenty of column inches. His Patkai was ante-post favourite for a long time but the horse was not declared, presumably on account of the soft going. Nonetheless the trainer still fields three of the fourteen runners - Doctor Fremantle, Conduit and Warringah. Ryan Moore had the choice, eventually selecting Doctor Fremantle, fourth in this year's Derby, over Conduit, but you suspect it was a close call. Moore has been quoted as saying he's gone with the Doctor on account of the ground; Frankie Dettori picks up the plum spare on Conduit. Ballydoyle field four, including 2/1 favourite Frozen Fire; Aidan O'Brien has expressed some doubts about his charge's ability to last the trip. I can't help but feel the value has gone about the horses I particularly like - Doctor Fremantle and Look Here. Doctor Fremantle is now generally a 7/1 shot; he was 10/1 earlier in the week when he made some appeal as an each-way wager. That being the case, on grounds of value, I'll support Look Here to collect the spoils.

At the Curragh Ballydoyle's Septimus will start long odds on; Yellowstone each way at around 12/1 is the selection. The horse's intended appointment at York was washed away; he took his chance in the rearranged Ebor, the Newburgh Heritage Handicap at Newbury, which was far from ideal. He ran well enough there to finish third carrying nine stones ten pounds and has reasonable prospects of making a place here.

Back at Doncaster seven furlongs and easy going are right up Major Cadeaux's street and he gets the vote in the 3.45.

Weekend shorts

Leopardstown's card was moved to the Sunday and run on soft ground. With 'The Duke' withdrawn as anticpiated, New Approach had to work hard enough to beat 50/1 shot Traffic Guard a half length in the Irish Champion Stakes; Lush Lashes won the Matron Stakes.

Over in France Henrythenavigator, hindered by a poor draw and unfavourably soft going, could only finish fifth behind Goldikova in the Prix Du Moulin. Paco Boy claimed third, having met some trouble in running. I was concerned about the mile trip for this horse following Ryan Moore's comments after the Hungerford but, on this evidence, those doubts are unfounded.

Targets for Duke Of Marmalade now include the Arc and the Breeders' Cup; Corals make 'The Duke' 4/1 joint favourite for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

All eyes will be on Doncaster next Saturday with Look Here an intended runner in an intriguing-looking St Leger and Ladbrokes now sponsoring the re-arranged Betfred Sprint Cup after yesterday's Haydock card was lost to the bad weather.

An insignifcant milestone but one I bring to your attention nonetheless - you are reading this blog's 400th post. By my reckoning, it's roughly 400 days since I last tipped a winner. If you throw enough darts, one day you'll hit the bull...

Ladbrokes St Leger

On Friday Donald McCain's Ice Tea is a progressive sort running over two and a half miles in the 3.00 at Bangor. This is his first run after a break, his wins having come over further, but he looks worth keeping an eye on. With England playing South Africa in the Rugby World Cup later in the evening, Alan Lee reports that racegoers turning up for Sandown's afternoon meeting in either team's colours will be entitled to reduced admission of £10.

On Saturday the Irish and English St Leger races are scheduled to take place within twenty minutes of each other. At The Curragh Yeats will be unbackable at long odds on and he is expected to oblige.

Over at Doncaster it doesn't appear quite as clear cut. On Racing Post ratings Honolulu and Lucarno are some way clear of their rivals. In my eyes Lucarno's fourth in the Epsom Derby and subsequent victory in the Great Voltigeur at York read better than Honolulu's recent second in the Ebor. To muddy the waters a little, the O'Brien stable reports Honolulu has thrived since York, whereas John Gosden doubts the additional two furlongs of this race will suit Lucarno, despite the formbook stating the horse 'stayed on strongly' in the Great Voltigeur. Indeed the trainer describes Raincoat, his other runner, as the 'forgotten horse' of the race. You pays your money and takes your choice. In a race where the favourite has won eight of the last ten runnings, I'm prepared to risk Lucarno, currently priced at 4/1, and Raincoat each way at 10/1 or bigger, as both some offer value.