Stu Williams previews the nine declared runners for Saturday’s Group 1 St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, where Frankie Dettori rides the pre-race favourite.
St Leger Stakes - Winner
Who will come out on top in the final Classic of the British Flat racing season?
2023 St Leger Stakes Runners Guide
A guide to each of the nine declared runners for the Group 1 St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, with best odds available through oddschecker.
1. Alexandroupolis – 28/1
Debut winner Alexandroupolis has failed to shine in two subsequent outings and was well held on his first attempt over this trip in Listed company at Leopardstown.
The lack of experience would also be a concern heading into Group 1 company. However, his debut success was achieved on soft ground and that may well be in his favour.
That said, it’s hard to envisage the Camelot colt making his presence felt on all known form.
2. Arrest – 10/3
Arrest enjoyed a confidence boosting Group 3 success at Newbury last month following slightly disappointing efforts in the Derby and at Royal Ascot and he will bid to provide Frankie Dettori a magnificent seventh success in this Doncaster classic.
The Frankel colt was sent off a 4/1 favourite at Epsom following an facile six-and-a-half-length success in the Group 3 Boodles Chester Vase Stakes in May, but could only finish 10th after losing a shoe and seemingly being unsuited by the track.
The presence of Frankie Dettori in the saddle undoubtedly contributed to his place in the market on that occasion, in addition to the visual impression of his win at Chester.
That said, Arrest is clearly a high class horse whom is firmly in the mix on official ratings and the fact that Frankie Dettori has chosen to ride him over stablemate Gregory is interesting.
3. Chesspiece – 12/1
Chesspiece was only beaten a neck by the aforementioned Desert Hero in the Group 3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last month and he could easily outperform market expectations if replicating that form.
The Godolphin owned colt has also finished third behind Gregory at Royal Ascot and scored a Listed success at Hamilton, in addition to a landing a York handicap off a mark of 96.
This is a relatively open renewal of the season’s concluding classic and a bold run is entirely possible.
4. Continuous – 12/1
Connections will be hopeful that Continuous can kick-on from his victory in the Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month and secure a seventh success in the St Leger for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
Ryan Moore gave the son of Heart’s Cry a perfect ride on that occasion as he waited patiently in rear while his four rivals did battle and came through to win in convincing style.
That effort suggested that Continuous would be well suited by an extra two furlongs and he is the highest rated horse that will face the starter on Saturday.
5. Denmark – 50/1
Aidan O’Brien will fire a fourth arrow at this prize in the form of Denmark, whose solitary success to date came on his racecourse debut at Naas.
Denmark chased home the aforementioned Middle Earth in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York last month and was sent off the 9/4 favourite for a Class 2 handicap at Haydock subsequently. However, he could only place third on that occasion.
Both of those races were contested over this trip and it’s hard to envisage the Camelot gelding finding the requisite improvement to land this prize judged on what he has achieved thus far.
6. Desert Hero – 5/1
Desert Hero became His Majesty The King’s first Royal Ascot winner when landing the King George V Stakes at odds of 18/1 in June and he has since added the Group 3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes to his CV.
The latter victory was the fourth of a career that spans only six races and he is clearly improving with each experience.
The Sea The Stars colt is yet to race beyond 12 furlongs. However, his last two victories - which were obviously career best efforts - came over 10 furlongs and he could easily improve further for the extra yardage. He is therefore an intriguing contender.
7. Gregory – 4/1
Gregory forfeited his unbeaten status when placing third behind Continuous in the Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month and will bid to bounce back in the season’s final classic.
John and Thady Gosden’s charge ran out an impressive winner of the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, confirming the promise of his debut win at Haydock and smooth Listed success at Goodwood.
Gregory has a few pounds to find will some of his rivals on official ratings. However, he has fewer miles on the clock and therefore greater potential to improve, especially stepping back-up to a trip over which he was successful at Ascot.
8. Middle Earth – 8/1
Middle Earth has won his last two starts culminating in a handicap success at York off a mark of 93.
The Roaring Lion colt soon picked off his rivals when finding his stride on that occasion and he clearly remains open to further improvement after just four career starts.
Genuine soft ground would represent an unknown for Middle Earth. However, he did handle good to soft ground when defeating subsequent dual scorer Naqeeb at Newmarket in July and connections clearly feel that he is worthy of his place in this field.
9. Tower Of London – 12/1
Tower Of London won four of his previous five outings prior to placing second behind subsequent Group 2 runner-up Castle Way in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket in July and he is the freshest horse in this contest having not been seen on the racetrack since.
The Ballydoyle inmate was chased home by subsequent winners at both Leopardstown and Down Royal in June and July respectively and his absence could easily be by design in preparation for this contest.
Winning this contest would almost certainly require a career best effort from Tower Of London. However, his official rating puts him in the mix.
2023 St Leger Stakes Tips & Prediction
Continuous was visually impressive when landing the Group 2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month and he could easily kick-on from that performance.
However, the race was set up perfectly for him on that occasion and his superiority may have been overstated as a result.
Gregory was unbeaten prior to that York contest and he could easily bounce back to winning ways this weekend.
John and Thady Gosden’s charge remains open to further improvement after just four career starts and the return to this trip will suit.
Royal Ascot winner Desert Hero is seemingly on an upward curve and could easily take another step forwards.
While the same can be said of Middle Earth, who admittedly has more to prove but could have any amount of improvement still to come.
However, it’s interesting that Frankie Dettori has decided to partner ARREST over Gregory and the beaten Derby favourite may be able to reward his choice.
Ground conditions will almost certainly have contributed to his decision given that Arrest placed second in the Group 1 Criterium de St-Cloud on soft ground last October and also won the Chester Vase in such conditions in May, and he arrives on the back of a confidence boosting Group 3 win at Newbury last month.
The Frankel colt remains open to further improvement over this trip and he would prove an incredibly popular winner for Frankie Dettori on his farewell tour.
