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15:35 Doncaster

Saturday 16 September 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:39 | Winning time: 3m 6.95s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Alexandroupolis²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101| BF

40/1

Taking debut winner in the autumn. Hasn't advanced his form as perhaps expected both starts this year 4 months apart, albeit he wasn't seen to best effect in the Vinnie Roe Stakes. Retains potential but this is a big ask.

Form: 1-36

(6)

Arrest²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114

11/4

Runner-up in French Group 1 on final 2-y-o start and reappeared to win the Chester Vase in May (both heavy ground). Not in the same form on a firmer surface in the Derby at Epsom and King Edward at Ascot but dropped in class, he responded well to a positive ride when winning Geoffrey Freer Stakes,

Form: 12-1051

(8)

Chesspiece⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 109

14/1

Purchased by Godolphin after taking handicap win and improved when third to Gregory in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1¾m). Listed winner at Hamilton a month later and looked ready for a return to this trip when second in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

Form: 1-31312

(2)

Continuous²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 115

3/1

Looked smart when winning both 2-y-o starts. Encouraging return in the Dante and rook his form to a whole new level in a well-run race when a decisive winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. That is the best form on offer and this trip may well unlock more.

Form: 11-3821

(7)

Denmark^b⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| BF

28/1

Yet to add to debut success last summer but quietly progressive in 3 starts at up to 14f this term. Looked a tricky ride in handicap company at Haydock and he's hard to make a case for at this level.

Form: 12-523

(1)

Desert Hero⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 110

6/1

Produced a smart performance when winning the traditionally very strong King George (Handicap) at Royal Ascot in June. Overcame tricky circumstances when following up in the Gordon Stakes and his limit may noy have been reached trying a new trip.

Form: 131-811

(3)

Gregory²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111| BF

7/1

Confirmed debut impression when landing a listed race at Goodwood and found bundles for pressure when maintaining his unbeaten record in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Carried a penalty and turned over by Continuous in the Great Voltigeur but return to this trip very much in his favour.

Form: 1113

(5)

Middle Earth²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102

7/1

Runner-up first 2 starts and well suited by a true test upped to 1½m when landing 7-runner Newmarket novice in July, battling well. Found another jolt of improvement when cashing in on a lenient mark in the Melrose Handicap and he's clearly a 3-y-o stayer on the up.

Form: 2211

(9)

Tower Of London⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| BF

8/1

Form has taken off since stepping up to middle distances, winning a Leopardstown listed race and the Ulster Derby (Handicap) in June. Would probably have completed the hat-trick had rider not dropped his whip in the Bahrain Stakes and he's a brother to a Leger winner.

Form: 15-6112

Forecasts

Arrest (11/4), Continuous (3/1), Desert Hero (6/1), Gregory (7/1), Middle Earth (7/1), Tower Of London (8/1), Chesspiece (14/1), Denmark (28/1), Alexandroupolis (40/1)

Just the 9 runners for the oldest Classic but it has a very open feel to it. CONTINUOUS took his form to a whole new level in a well-run race when a decisive winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York and that marks him out as the one to beat with this trip likely to unlock even more. Gregory failed to land the odds in that race but he carried a penalty that day and this contest will play to his strengths (though Dettori now rides Arrest). At longer odds, Tower of London cannot be ruled out.