St Leger Runners Guide 2023 – Arrest, Continuous, Desert Hero & Gregory Among Doncaster Classic Contenders

All nine three-year-old colts from the penultimate declaration stage are intended St Leger runners after they were confirmed for the final British Classic at Doncaster. This extended 1m 6f test headlines day three of the eponymous festival held at Town Moor on Saturday, 16 September.

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Gosden & O’Brien Stables Account for Seven St Leger Runners This Year

The most successful yards in recent St Leger history are John & Thady Gosden’s Newmarket stables and the Ballydoyle operation headed by Aidan O’Brien. Both have four wins in this Classic since 2005. The Gosdens’ long-time jockey ally and soon-to-retire Frankie Dettori now switches rides to Arrest, given his preference for cut in the ground.

Softer surfaces are an unknown for the yard’s other two St Leger runners with Queen’s Vase hero Gregory never racing on slower than good and the supplemented Middle Earth once scrambling home on good to soft. Drying ground would certainly help their chances as much as it would hinder hopes for Arrest.

Not to be outdone by the Gosdens, O’Brien saddles four St Leger runners with Great Voltigeur scorer Continuous seemingly the yard’s first string. Ballydoyle also have Ulster Derby winner Tower Of London, Denmark and Alexandroupolis in the line-up. That makes seven horses from just two stables for horse racing betting sites and punters to assess.

Outside of those, Godolphin go with Simon & Ed Crisford’s Chesspiece rather than Castle Way. The former’s Gordon Stakes conqueror Desert Hero, sporting the royal silks of the King and Queen, completes the nine. You can learn all about these colts and what they’ve achieved en route to Town Moor below…

RELATED: Doncaster Races Today – Get the lowdown on Doncaster Racecourse in South Yorkshire in our track guide.

Complete St Leger Runners Guide 2023

1. Alexandroupolis

Lightly-raced but has most to find on official ratings. Extended mile maiden winner at Galway just over a year ago. Third in a recognised Epsom Derby trial at Leopardstown on reappearance. Sixth in a Listed race at the same venue upped in trip to 1m 6f latest after a break. Could have switch of tactics for pacemaker duties.

2. Arrest

Dual Group 3 winner that likes soft going. Rain helped him no end when winning at Chester races on reappearance, then didn’t appear to handle track at Epsom or fast ground at Royal Ascot. Back to his best on easier surface with Newbury success over extended 1m 5f latest. Jockey switches St Leger runners to ride and obvious claims if course doesn’t dry out too much.

3. Chesspiece

Listed winner at Hamilton races and twice placed in Group company either side of that. Has been ridden prominently on recent assignments, but may need tactical change here in order to get the trip. Something to find with both Gregory and Desert Hero on Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood form off same terms.

4. Continuous

Much-improved to win a Group 2 trial for this at York races during the Ebor Festival latest. Handled softer ground fine when scoring in France as a juvenile. Disappointed in the French Derby, but respectable efforts when placed in the Dante Stakes and King Edward VII at Royal Ascot either side of that. One of the St Leger runners to note as stable’s first string.

5. Denmark

Hit the frame in 1m 6f handicaps at York’s Ebor Festival and Haydock races latest after disappointing in a Group 3 Derby trial earlier in the season. Meets Middle Earth off 4lb better terms, but hung badly left and didn’t really go through with his race on Merseyside. This demands more, so he can be opposed.

6. Desert Hero

Royal runner who has progressed from Royal Ascot handicap success to follow-up in a Group 3 trial for this at Glorious Goodwood races latest. Strong finishing effort over 1m 4f on both occasions bodes well for this step up in trip. One of the Royal Ascot runners in the mix, granted further improvement.

7. Gregory

Unbeaten run came to an end in the Great Voltigeur at York under a penalty latest, but 3lb better off with Continuous here. Listed success at Goodwood and tenacious 1m 6f Group 2 victory during Royal Ascot where he made most of the running augurs well for this. Late jockey switch not ideal, but still has obvious claims on pick of form.

8. Middle Earth

Qualified for next year’s Ebor with win in Heritage Handicap at York latest. Now takes a big step up in class and worse off at the weights with Denmark. Supplemented at a cost of £50,000 by connections, so some confidence he can be one of the St Leger runners to have a say.

9. Tower Of London

Full brother to Capri who won this race back in 2017. Listed and Premier Handicap wins at 1m 4f and 1m 5f before unlucky head second in Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket races latest when jockey dropped his whip. Overpriced and each way value.

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What Date & Time Is the St Leger 2023?

📅Time/Date: 3:35pm (Saturday, 16th September 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Doncaster
💰 Winner: £421,355
📺 TV: Racing TV & ITV
🎲 Odds: Arrest 7/2 | Gregory 4/1 | Continuous 9/2 | Desert Hero 5/1 | Bar 8/1

Recent St Leger Winners

• 2022 – Eldar Eldarov (9/2)
• 2021 – Hurricane Lane (8/11 fav)
• 2020 – Galileo Chrome (4/1)
• 2019 – Logician (5/6 fav)
• 2018 – Kew Gardens (3/1)
• 2017 – Capri (3/1 fav)
• 2016 – Harbour Law (22/1)
• 2015 – Simple Verse (8/1)
• 2014 – Kingston Hill (9/4 fav)
• 2013 – Leading Light (7/2 fav)

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WATCH: Eldar Eldarov Land Last Year’s St Leger

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