The final classic of the flat season is upon us. The Betfred St Leger is of course the feature race of the day at Doncaster this Saturday.
We preview the ITV televised races to give an exciting Yankee Lucky 15 bet’s worth of top tips with best bets and top odds provided by our partner firms Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Boylesports and the day’s main sponsors, Betfred.
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The race day sponsors Betfred offer up to 25% bonus in cash for winning Lucky 15/31/63 accumulator bets. The breakdown is as follows:
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Race 1: 1345 Doncaster: The Betfred Champagne Stakes
This Group 2 for 2-year-old colts and geldings is dominated by a warm order favourite in the shape of Desert Castle trained by Charlie Appleby.
He really impressed in his debut at Newmarket in August winning by three lengths over 7 furlongs and there is clearly more to come from this son of Frankel.
Aiden O’Brien single representative Sergei Diaghilev has claims after his Gowran Park listed win and another possible improver is Gentle Hurricane who finished well in the Group 3 Acomb at York.
Desert Castle has plenty of improvement within his scope and is our choice to land this opening race.
SELECTION: DESERT CASTLE 6/5 with William Hill
Race 2: 1420 Doncaster: The Betfred Portland (Heritage Handicap)
A very open and competitive looking sprint handicap for our second leg in the Lucky 15. For those looking for value each way bets, Bet365 are offering six places on this race.
Course and distance winner Getreadytorumble leads the market and deservedly so after placing in a recent Ascot handicap, however the handicapper looks to be on top of him.
Apollo One has good form in this race at higher handicap marks so enters each way calculations whilst course winner Station X comes into this with decent form and at a decent each way price of 16/1 with Bet365 (paying 6 places).
SELECTION: STATION X 16/1 (Bet365)
Race 3: 1455 Doncaster: The Betfred Park Stakes
This Group 2 seven furlong contest has another warm favourite with the William Haggas trained five-year-old More Thunder leading the market.
The horse has been consistent this season but although the form suggests that 7 furlongs may be the optimum trip, there is better value to be had elsewhere.
Qirat could be the one to offer that value. His last run was a noticeable improvement and wouldn’t need to step up too much to figure here. The same can be said of Never So Brave who landed a hat trick of wins last season and would be in the mix if back to his best.
SELECTION: QIRAT 6/1 (Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred, Boylesports)
Race 4: 1535 THE BETFRED ST LEGER STAKES
The final classic of the season and the feature race of the day. Enceladus trained by Joseph O’Brien has been a steady improver all season, with three wins on the bounce over 1 miles and 4 furlongs.
He should have no bother coping with the extended distance, but the jury is arguably out with regard to the form. Christmas Day, the Derby winner clearly comes into the mix although he was below par in the Great Voltigeur at York.
Equal to Christmas Day on the formbook is the O’Brien stable mate Pierre Bonnard who finished close behind Christmas Day in the Irish Derby.
However, the best value each way wise has to be Highwayman who despite needing to find a little more on the formbook generally, has the best confirmed form over the distance. This Joseph O’Brien second string is our each way choice to land this oldest of classics.
SELECTION: HIGHWAYMAN 12/1 (William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports)
Recap Selections:
Race 1: 1345 Doncaster: The Betfred Champagne Stakes
DESERT CASTLE 6/5 with William Hill
Race 2: 1420 Doncaster: The Betfred Portland (Heritage Handicap)
STATION X 16/1 (Bet365)
Race 3: 1455 Doncaster: The Betfred Park Stakes
QIRAT 6/1 (Bet365, William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred, Boylesports)
Race 4: 1535 THE BETFRED ST LEGER STAKES
HIGHWAYMAN 12/1 (William Hill, Bet Victor, Betfred and Boylesports)
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