A quite magnificent day's racing on Saturday is topped off by two G1 events at Doncaster and Leopardstown respectively. ODDSbible Racing's Danny Archer is on hand to preview both big races:
William Hill St Leger - Kew Gardens to bloom for AOB
Last year's renewal of the William Hill St Leger was a thriller with Capri defeating Crystal Ocean, Stradivarius, Rekindling, Coronet and Defoe to name but a few.
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This year's edition looks strong once again and was boosted by the news this week that the John Gosden-trained Lah Ti Darwould take her chance. The daughter of Dubawi and Dar Re Mi, who was also owned by the Lloyd-Webber's has suffered a season curtailed slightly by illness and injury. Following two comfortable wins at Newbury on debut and in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, Gosden's charge missed the oaks through illness and Royal Ascot through a slight injury. However, Lah Ti Dar showed she was over those problems when bolting up 10 lengths at York in the Listed Galtres Stakes last time. The Prix Vermeille was a potential target for the filly, but connections have decided to head to Town Moor, where she is sure to appreciate the step up in trip. This is her first entry into G1 company, but she has so much untapped potential that she could deliver a telling performance at Doncaster today.
However, at the prices, I'm keen to back Kew Gardens who is every inch the G1 performer and who will relish this trip. I went to visit him at Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle base last week and I was taken with his laid-back nature and how well he looked. The three-year-old son of Galileo was a facile winner of the G2 Queen's Vase at Ascot in June, before registering his first G1 success at Longchamp in the Grand Prix de Paris in July. Following a short break, Kew Gardens was an excellent third to Old Persian in the Great Voltgieur where he had to carry a penalty for his G1 success. They race on level terms here and I would be disappointed if he could not reverse that form. Furthermore, Kew Gardens' victory over today's trip at Royal Ascot demonstrated that the further he went, the more impressive he looked. Aidan O'Brien has primed him for today' assignment and I still fancy him to get the better of Lah Ti Dar, despute having to concede the 3lb fillies' allowance allotted to the favourite.
As for the rest of the field, I think Southern France, a stable companion of Kew Gardens is overpriced. Second to Kew Gardens in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot following two victories at Leopardstown and Navan, he was a staying-on third behind fellow stable mate Flag Of Honour in the Irish St leger Trial at the Curragh last time out. He was given a patient ride by Seamie Heffernan on that occasion after returning from nearly two months off and he stayed on nicely under a quiet ride late on. The Galileo colt is undoubtedly going to get even better as he steps further up in trip but AOB also runs Zabriskie, The Pentagon and Nelson in today's event and they will ensure this is a real test of stamina. Therefore, at around the 14/1 mark, he is of real interest.
Others who deserve a mention include the Godolphin-owned duo of Loxley and Old Persian. The former is the mount of James Doyle and he has won a G2 and Listed contest in authoritative fashion at Deauville on his last two starts. He promises to be suited by the step up in trip, whilst William Buick's mount Old Persian fended off stable companion Cross Counter to score by a head in the Great Voltigeur at York last time with Kew Gardens behind in third. However, I'm not convinced that he will definitely stay this trip as he looked to be all out under pressure on the Knavesmire. Dee Ex Bee has struggled to rediscover his Derby form when he finished second to Masar and would prefer softer ground, whilst Raymond Tusk looks a horse who will be suited by stepping up in trip again following his second in the Geoffrey Freer to the Melbourne Cup-bound Hamada, but he needs to step forward on that effort. Proschema looks liley to struggle, but Maid Up could potentially outrun her odds. Andrew Balding's horses are in unreal form and the daughter of Mastercraftsman, who benefits from the 3lb fillies' allowance has taken form to another level of late. She has won four of her last five starts and is definitely on the up. Similarly, she always does just enough in her races, which makes you think there is even more improvement to come here.
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All in all, this is an excellent renewal and a tough one to call, but Kew Gardens' proven G1 experience and stamina-laden qualities will suit.
Irish Champion Stakes - Lion likely to roar for Gosden
With Too Darn Hot and Lah Ti Dar running at Doncaster, John Gosden runs a powerful triumvirate of superstars today with Roaring Lion completing the trio in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. The three-year-old son of Kitten's Joy was third in the Derby, but has showed his liking for 10- furlongs with two impressive successes this term. Gosden's charge got the better of Saxon Warrior by a neck in the G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, before showing a smart turn of foot when well-positioned in the G1 Juddmonte International at York. He has even more improvement to come over this trip and he does look the likely winner.
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Saxon Warrior is joined by stable companions Rhododendron, Athena and Deauville in the 10-furlong event and he will improve massively for his Juddmonte run. Aidan O'Brien reported the Deep Impact colt to be very sick following the Coral-Eclipse and he wasn't fully tuned up at York. This is one of his main targets of the year and the master of Ballydoyle seems happy with his preparation.
Study Of Man represents France who have won the race before with Almanzor and Pascal Bary's three-year-old colt won tthat contest nicely at Chantilly. However, he was pretty disappointing even if not fully tuned up when third to Harry Dunlop's British raider Knight To Behold at Deauville last time. He is interesting but he needs to step up on that Deauville run on his foreign foray.
Addeybb won the Lincoln and then a G2 over a mile at Sandown in April. He was well down the field on good to firm ground at Newbury last time and fast ground could be a similar problem here. Verbal Dexterity was fourth to Saxon Warrior in the Racing post Trophy and made a satisfactory return in a G3 at the Curragh in August, but he has to step up markedly to get involved.
Overall, Roaring Lion sets the standard and could be able to extend his winning sequence. His old foe Saxon Warrior will be fully tuned up and can provide the sternest test.
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