Andy Holding's Ante-Post Preview for the 2026 Doncaster St Leger

The final classic of the season run at Doncaster has almost become the race that nobody wants to win in recent times, with connections of most Derby and Oaks winners seemingly more happy taking their chances against the older horses in the Arc, or many other different races around the globe.

This season’s Derby winner, Christmas Day, however, looks like bucking the trend by heading to Town Moor following a defeat in the Great Voltigeur at York on his most recent start but there is an overriding feeling that his victory at Epsom was more down to factors involving many of his rivals not firing on the day rather than him being the most talented. His subsequent third place finish behind Maltese Cross on the Knavesmire backed up that view.

Talking of Maltese Cross, it looks as though connections prefer to take the son of Sea The Stars to Paris next and with him out of the way (he probably would have started favourite), the St Leger now has a even more wide-open feel to it.

Pierre Bonnard, runner-up in the Voltigeur and third in the Irish Derby is at least trending in the right direction after disappointing at Epsom but he too comes across as not being the most convincing of performers and at his current odds (around the 3-1 mark), he makes limited appeal at present.

Benvenuto Cellini has subsequently gone on to prove his demise in the Derby was just a one off with victory in the Irish Derby and third in the King George putting him up there with the best of his generation over 1m4f on pure form alone.

However, which direction he goes down during the remainder of the season is rather up in the air at the moment and, as a result, he is a difficult to recommend for the St Leger or for any other race for that matter.

Outside of the classics, Joseph O’Brien has quietly assembled a strong team of stayers as the season has developed and ENCELADUS has gradually worked himself to the top of that particular tree.

His victory in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot has been boosted by many of his rivals vanquished on the day and his subsequent success in a Group 3 at Goodwood further proved he is a three-year-old stayer of some repute.

Although he probably didn’t beat a stellar field at the Sussex venue, the speed figure he posted and manner of victory pointed towards a horse who is improving at a rapid rate and he has many similar qualities to Galileo Chrome, who landed the final classic of the season for his trainer several years ago.

Infraad is another who has worked his way through the ranks via handicaps and his win in the Melrose at York certainly put him in the conversation for The St Leger in the post-race huddles.

Unfortunately, for those who believe he would be a massive player should he be allowed to take his chance in the St Leger, William Haggas expressed a rather circumspect approach with the son of Ghaiyyath and there is every chance he will avoid Doncaster and head towards the less choppy waters of The Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot in October. Long term, he could easily be top class.

Using Infraad as a guide and taking a view he would be single figures should he have gone to Town Moor, HATTEEN has to be looked towards as a potential outlier at his current odds of 20-1.

Many believe he was rather hard done by at Goodwood and could have easily been awarded the race in the stewards room when locking horns with Infraad from two out but at least it proved he is capable of mixing with a top-class stayer in the making.

Moreover, he has proven form at Doncaster courtesy of his easy victory there previously and the speed figure he posted that day suggested he is miles better than a handicapper (currently rated 96).

Considering the season his trainer, Andrew Balding, is having, the son of Lope De Vega has to be of some interest based on the current trajectory he is taking and looking the type who should benefit from an extra two furlongs, it is easy to see him being significantly shorter nearer the big day.

Best Bets:

ENCELADUS – 1-point Win

Best odds of 11/4 at Skybet while publishing.

HATTEEN – ½ point Each-Way

Best odds of 20/1 at Skybet, Paddy Power while publishing.