Saturday 12 September · GB · Flat · Class 1
3:35 Doncaster
Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1)
1m6½f · Going: Good · 11 runners · £396,970
Verdict — our pick: Pierre Bonnard
Pierre Bonnard lines up on a rating level with the top-rated Christmas Day, and it is his progressive profile that tips the balance in his favour here over fourteen furlongs on good ground at Doncaster. Christmas Day and Action — a pound behind on our figures — are the obvious dangers, with Amelia Earhart worth noting further down the ratings if the principals disappoint. The confidence is not high in a fiercely competitive Class 1 heat, but the upward trajectory of Pierre Bonnard makes him the one to be on.
Runners & best odds
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1. Action(8)Form: 420768
J: Sean Levey · T: A P O'Brien · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 109 · trainer 14% (14d)
By Frankel out of Gossamer Wings (Scat Daddy) · Owner: Michael Tabor Derrick Smith Mrs John Magnier
Action has run over today's going and, with our rating of 122 suggesting he's better than his recent results imply, he remains a live danger — though winless in his last six starts, that worrying downturn in form is the key question he must answer.
2. Alderman(2)Form: 73-255
J: Rossa Ryan · T: Richard Hannon · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 106 · trainer 5% (14d)
By Study Of Man out of Alagappa (Archipenko) · Owner: Mrs J Wood
Alderman has been winless in his last five starts, though a second three starts back and a third four starts back hint at ability, while consecutive fifth-place finishes since suggest he's struggling to build on that promise after 65 days off the track.
3. Christmas Day(5)Form: -13123
J: Ronan Whelan · T: A P O'Brien · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 118 · trainer 14% (14d)
By Camelot out of Beauly (Sea The Stars) · Owner: Magniertaborsmithwesterbergbrant
Consistent and in fine heart, Christmas Day won three starts back and was placed last time out, arriving here on a retrieval mission after that third; the main risk is whether 129 lb stretches his stamina on today's going.
4. Enceladus(9)Form: 33-111
J: Billy Loughnane · T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 112 · trainer 11% (14d)
By Sea The Stars out of Martini Glass (Kitalpha) · Owner: Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd
Enceladus arrives on the back of three straight wins and has experience of today's going, but 44 days off the track and a hefty 129 lb to carry are the checks on his chance here, with our rating of 110 placing him fifth of eleven.
5. Galiyan(1)Form: 41625
J: Daniel Tudhope · T: Andrew Balding · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 106 · trainer 21% (14d)
By Galiway out of Via Manzoni (Monsun) · Owner: Rashid Al Saud
Showed a glimpse of ability when second two starts back, but a fifth last time out and a mixed recent record overall temper expectations; he has experience of today's distance and going, and 24 days between runs suggests he arrives fresh enough to make his presence felt.
6. Golden Story(11)Form: 1-314
J: Clifford Lee · T: K. R. Burke · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 102 · trainer 23% (14d)
By Lope De Vega out of October Queen (Iffraaj) · Owner: Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum
Golden Story has ability — a winner two starts back and last time out showing a fourth — but ranked ninth of eleven on our figures and returning after 85 days off, he faces a stiff task under 129 lb on today's going.
7. Hatteen(3)Form: 5-2212
J: Faleh Bughanaim · T: Andrew Balding · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 96 · trainer 21% (14d)
By Lope De Vega out of Loyal (Galileo) · Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Ranked tenth of eleven on our figures, Hatteen is hard to fancy despite a lively recent profile that includes a win and three runner-up finishes in his last five starts; the speed rating of 82 looks short of what will likely be required here.
8. Highwayman(7)Form: 900811
J: Saffie Osborne · T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 101 · trainer 11% (14d)
By Persian King out of Salyana (Harlan's Holiday) · Owner: John Ioannis Neocleous
Ranked last on our figures, Highwayman faces a stiff ask despite consecutive wins last time out and two starts back, as his speed rating of 72 and a mark of 101 suggest he meets a competitive field at a disadvantage, though he has run over today's trip and going before.
9. Pierre Bonnard(4)Form: -72732
J: Wayne Lordan · T: A P O'Brien · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 116 · trainer 14% (14d)
By Camelot out of Sultanina (New Approach) · Owner: Mrs J Magnierm Tabord Smithwesterberg
Consistent without landing the big one, Pierre Bonnard has been placed in three of his last five starts and returns in good time on 24 days' rest; he handles today's going and carries 129 lb, but his overall profile makes him the pick here.
10. Rebel Rocker(10)Form: 1-264
J: Jason Watson · T: Faye Bramley · 3yo · 9st 3lb · OR 103 · trainer 11% (14d)
By Cityscape out of Miss Minuty (Verglas) · Owner: Miss Jennifer Dorey
Rebel Rocker caught the eye with a second three starts back and a win four starts back, and he handles today's going, but back-to-back finishes of sixth and fourth in his most recent pair make him hard to rely on at the weights.
11. Amelia Earhart(6)Form: -16552
J: Tom Marquand · T: A P O'Brien · 3yo · 9st 0lb · OR 104 · trainer 14% (14d)
By Camelot out of Venus De Milo (Duke Of Marmalade) · Owner: Mrs John Magnier Michael Tabor Derrick Smith
Placed last time out and a winner five starts back, Amelia Earhart arrives on a workable 29-day break with experience over today's trip and going, and her rating of 111 suggests she holds solid claims; the worry is that three poor efforts in between that win cast some doubt on consistency.
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