Sky Sports Racing presenter Callum Helliwell previews Saturday’s big race, Betfred St Leger Stakes and gives his tip for who he thinks is going to scoop glory at Doncaster.
St Leger preview: powerhouse trainer Aidan O’Brien set to have a strong hand in the World’s Oldest Classic but it could be worth taking him on with an 8-1 shot – if the weather plays ball
The World’s Oldest Classic is on the horizon at Doncaster this Saturday with the running of the Betfred St Leger Stakes.
The race was first run in 1776 and is often referred to as the last leg of the “Triple Crown” following on from the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby earlier in the season.
The St Leger is also not only the oldest Classic horse race on the calendar, it is also the longest in terms of distance, running over one mile and six and a half furlongs – with this year’s contest set to bag the winner a very cool £396,970.
Powerhouse trainer Aidan O’Brien has won this race a whopping seven times, including last year with Continuous, and has a very strong hand once again heading into this year’s race and it will be a huge surprise if the Coolmore maestro doesn’t land an eighth success in the race.
Sky Sports Racing presenter Callum Helliwell previews Saturday’s big race – and gives his tip for who he thinks is going to scoop glory at Doncaster.
“The market leader Illinois, second favourite Jan Brueghel and third favourite Grosvenor Square all have one thing in common – they are trained by master trainer Aidan O’Brien.
“Illinois was second in his last two starts, most recently of those behind another O’Brien runner in Los Angeles, that was at York over a mile and a half.
“He is an interesting horse, Illinois, because he doesn’t blow me away but when he ran at Ascot over the trip he will face at Doncaster this weekend, three starts back, he looked imperious so he has that form and we know he will handle this distance.
“Then we have Jan Brueghel, a completely unexposed horse – still an absolutely big and raw baby. Three starts, three wins and all three have shown improvement and I imagine he will take another step forward again in the St leger but this is by far his toughest assignment to date.
“Grosvenor Square will probably be used as a pacemaker but give him too big of a lead at your peril. He has a habit of running away from his rivals and never being caught. I think he is actually a better horse than he is given credit for and if he gets too much of a lead, then he will be hard to catch.
St Leger – horse racing odds
- Illinois 7/4
- Jan Brueghel 10/3
- Grosvenor Square 9/2
- Ancient Wisdom, Sunway 7/1
- Los Angeles 8/1
- 16/1 bar
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