Architect’s runner-by-runner guide to the 2024 St Leger at Doncaster.
St Leger 2024
The final and oldest Classic of the British Flat season, the St Leger, takes place this weekend. In search of an eighth win in the race, Aidan O’Brien has a strong battalion, headed by the favourite, Illinois.
Among his other challengers are Irish Derby second, Sunway, and Ralph Beckett’s You Got To Me. Here is my runner guide along with a pretty confident tip to conclude. Good luck and thanks for reading in advance!
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St Leger Runner Guide
Align The Stars (66/1)
This son of Sea The Stars has taken his form to a whole new level this season and completed a hat-trick of wins with a very game success from the front in the Coral Summer Handicap at Glorious Goodwood.
However, he had his limitations exposed when only beating one rival home in the Lonsdale Cup last time out and this looks tougher. He will do well to hold off a field of this calibre and that seems doubtful. Others have achieved more and are preferred.
Deira Mile (20/1)
This consistent and improving son of Camelot opened his account at the fifth time of asking at Windsor prior to a career-best performance when fourth behind City Of Troy in the Epsom Derby.
Failed to make the most of a drop in class when a neck-second back at Windsor last time out in a Listed race but still performed well in defeat. Each-way contender for agreed handler but has stamina to prove over this longer distance.
Euphoric (100/1)
Finished a very good second to Los Angeles in a Group 3 race at Leopardstown in May, but has failed to replicate that showing in three subsequent starts.
Clearly used as a pacemaker for Los Angeles at York last time out when finishing last of five and it’s hard to see him making an impact in this contest. Either he or Chief Little Rock should set this race up nicely for one of their better-fancied teammates.
Grosvenor Square (5/1)
Three wins from seven starts, and despite finishing down the field in the Irish Derby, he returned to form with a second-place finish in the Curragh Cup behind stablemate Tower Of London, appreciating the step up in trip.
He then bettered that form when a 20-length winner of the St Leger Trial at the Curragh last time out and that form has worked out well. The horse back in fourth, Absurde, recently won a good race at Chester. This son of Galileo is upped in grade but has solid place claims.
Illinois (7/4f)
The favourite. This son of Galileo has three wins and five placed efforts from eight career outings. Having finished second to Ambiente Friendly in the Derby Trial, he showed all his resilience and stamina qualities to see off his rivals in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. The way he kept on strongly suggested he relished the extra yardage.
He then finished an honourable second in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris Stakes before filling the same spot when only a neck behind Los Angeles in the Greatwood Hurdle Voltigeur. The return to this longer trip will be more in his bag, and being unexposed over staying trips, he will be hard to beat. Likely to be the choice of Ryan Moore.
Jan Brueghel (4/1)
Another leading contender for the Ballydoyle assault. He missed all of last season, but he’s unbeaten in three starts this campaign, making up for lost time. While he doesn’t do anything flashy, he knows where the winning line is, and this course should play to his strengths.
He showed great battling attributes to see off three rivals in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood when last spotted, and while this race will be more difficult, he’s open to a lot more improvement and will keep galloping. An intriguing candidate for a yard seeking an eighth win in the contest.
Los Angeles (12/1)
Top-class son of Camelot with five wins from six starts to his name. Has the heart of a lion and demonstrated that with a determined success in the Great Voltigeur last time out. The Irish Derby winner seems an unlikely runner, though, with the Champion Stakes appearing to be his main target and a more suitable option.
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Sunway (7/1)
Likeable colt who pushed Los Angeles to within three parts of a length when second in the Irish Derby on his penultimate outing, doing best of those that were held up in rear, and that is the best form on offer.
He was then far from disgraced when fourth in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes last time out and is worth a second look, stepping up significantly in distance. If he stays, he could easily outrun his odds once more.
Wild Waves (66/1)
Won two of his last four starts and shaped well when finishing fourth in a handicap at York last time out.
However, he looks completely out of his depth venturing into this huge step up in grade and can easily be opposed.
You Got To Me (11/2)
An improving English raider with Group 1 winning form under her belt. Having finished fourth in the Epsom Oaks earlier in the season, she claimed the Irish version on her penultimate start and backed that up with a fine second in the Yorkshire Oaks.
This will be a stiffer challenge, but her trainer is enjoying a superb campaign, and she could reward her supporters with a decent showing if her stamina holds out. Whether she’s good enough to beat this level of competition is another matter, though.
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St Leger 2024 Betting Tips
Illinois must have a decent chance being the stable’s main hope, but if you fancy the favourite, then surely you have to consider SUNWAY (best price 7/1) as a serious player.
His penultimate second to Los Angeles in the Irish Derby when doing the best of those held up was worth a major upgrade. He had Ambiente Friendly in behind, who had previously beaten Illinois with ease.
I just cannot understand why he’s such a big price, and his latest fourth in the King George was also decent, where he stayed on at the finish to suggest a step up in trip could suit.
David Menuisier’s charge will get a nice pace to aim at and easily brings the strongest piece of form into the contest courtesy of his Irish Derby second. At an each-way price, and if he stays, I’m confident he goes close.
