St Leger Stakes - 15:35 Doncaster

Focus on the favourite

Pyledriver (11/4)

Pyledriver sprang a surprise to win the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but there was no fluke about the performance, as he proved when bolting up in the Great Voltigeur Stakes by three and a half lengths at York last month. That victory - achieved under a penalty - was one of the best performances posted by a three-year-old this season, and it represents the strongest form on offer here. There is little doubt that Pyledriver has developed into a very smart colt, but it has been his speed and potent turn of foot that has made him such a force over a mile and a half, so there has to be a slight doubt as to whether he'll prove as effective over this longer trip. He gave himself little chance in the Derby by proving so headstrong and he will need to settle better here. He will be a huge danger to all, though, if he does.

An outsider to consider

Subjectivist (14/1)

Mark Johnston sent out Sir Ron Priestley to finish runner-up in this race last season and that horse’s close relation Subjectivist has followed a similar path, progressing through the handicap ranks and arriving at Doncaster on the back of an impressive success in the March Stakes at Goodwood. Subjectivist made little impact behind Pyledriver in the Great Voltigeur, but that was a race that tested speed more than stamina, which wouldn't have played to his strengths. Subjectivist looked a relentless galloper when destroying his rivals over a mile and three-quarters at Goodwood last time and this tough stayer should launch a bold bid from the front.


A stat to note

Aidan O’Brien and Frankie Dettori have won six St Legers apiece

Aidan O’Brien and Frankie Dettori have enjoyed tremendous success in the St Leger and on Saturday they team up with Irish Derby winner Santiago. Santiago looked a useful prospect as a juvenile, getting off the mark at the third attempt in a Listowel maiden, but he was always likely to come into his own over middle-distances as a three-year-old, and he took a big step forward to win the Queen's Vase over a mile and three-quarters on his return at Royal Ascot in June. He showed that there is a touch of class to go with deep reserves of stamina when winning the Irish Derby at the Curragh, and he was by no means disgraced when third behind Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup last time. He has solid claims for a partnership who famously combined to win this with Scorpion in 2005, and he is understandably prominent in the market (best price of 3/1 general), for all others are perhaps open to greater improvement.

The Verdict

Pyledriver was an impressive winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes last time and is understandably at the head of the market as he has an obvious chance on that form. He is respected, but there is a query about whether such a strong-travelling colt will prove as effective over this extended trip, so it could pay to side with Hukum, who was such an impressive winner at Newbury last time. The King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot is usually one of the most competitive three-year-old handicaps of the season but Hukum won it on just his third start, and he took a big step forward to take the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes last time. That race was contested over a trip just a furlong shorter than the St Leger distance and Hukum proved extremely strong at the finish, powering two and a half lengths clear. He won in the style of a Group 1 performer and can prove as much here.  

Timeform weight-adjusted ratings:

  • 136        Pyledriver
  • 134p      Hukum
  • 131+      English King
  • 131        Santiago
  • 130+     Subjectivist
  • 128        Calileo Chrome