There’s an old saying that winter comes in on the tail of the last horse in the St Leger. That will be good news for fans of jump racing with the season’s final classic due off at 3.50 at Doncaster tomorrow.
The race has a wide open look about this year with a 14-strong field and all sorts of form lines tying them together. Not that it makes finding the winner any easier! The distance is a complete unknown for many of the runners including the favourite Kingston Hill. He has only raced once since the Derby when fourth in the Eclipse and I have reservations about his ability to see out the trip.
The two that interest me from an each-way perspective are Forever Now and Windshear. Both have exhibited a willingness to keep battling way under pressure and should relish the final two furlongs. Windshear looked unlucky behind Snow Sky at Goodwood while Forever Now is closely matched with Alex My Boy and Kings Fete on March Stakes form. They should both give us a good run for our money.
The card opens with the Champagne Stakes and people have been getting very excited about Estidhkaar with a view to next season’s classics. We will know more after he takes on the smart Belardo tomorrow who impressed me when strolling home at Newbury last time. Admittedly Hawkesbury ran with a most peculiar head carriage in second but Belardo looks to have a touch of class and is worth supporting at around 3-1.
Muthmir was a ridiculous price for the Stewards’ Cup and seems to be one of those horses that attracts money every time he races. The trip seems spot on for him in the Portland and it could be worth taking the early 11-2 but I’m also going for Mick Channon’s Chilworth Icon at long odds. He fairly flew up the rail to win at Sandown and the yard have hit form in recent days.
Finally, my old friend Aljamaaheer gets to revert to a more sensible trip in the OLBG Stakes at 3.15. I was very surprised when it was announced that he would be campaigned over six furlongs this season but I suppose he has proved a point with a third in the Diamond Jubilee. He wore blinkers that day but they have now been removed and the going seems to be drying out nicely. That could just give him the edge over old rival Gregorian.
Belardo @3-1 BetVictor
Muthmir @11-2 Boylesports
Chilworth Icon @20-1 Betfair (each-way)
Aljamaaheer @7-4 William Hill
Forever Now @16-1 Bet365
Windshear@8-1 Ladbrokes (each-way)
