Libertarian can use Party Politics as St Leger inspiration

Who said horse racing and politics don’t mix? They obviously don’t remember 1992 when a handsome beast named Party Politics won the Grand National, just days before John Major’s Conservatives were elected to power.

Now, just over 20 years later another horse with leanings to the left (not literally) is poised to contest the final Flat racing classic of the year, the Ladbrokes St Leger.

Having already proved its class in the 1m4f Epsom Derby earlier in the season when finishing runner-up to Ruler Of The World, 8/1 shot Libertarian is poised to run his first race for new trainer Charlie Appleby.

Libertarian has not been out since a disappointing finish in the Irish Derby in June, though the transition to Godolphin has breathed renewed optimism into punters’ sails that this will be a decent each-way option for the big race at Doncaster.

Punters will do well to remember this is a horse which has form over Irish Derby winner Treading Leather, beating Jim Bolger’s colt on his second seasonal showing in the Dante Stakes at York, while Trading Leather also placed in the recent Irish Champion Stakes.

Also swaying in Libertarian’s favour is the strong possibility he’ll be piloted by last season’s victorious St Leger jockey Mickael Barzalona.

The Frenchman has already ridden English Classic winners in each of the last two seasons; Pour Moi in the Epsom Derby and Encke in this race last year.

But never mind form or jockey, this is a runner with politics on its side. At the same time as this race gets under way, liberals up and down the land will be celebrating at the outset of the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Glasgow.

Just like Party Politics before him this Libertarian can unite politics and sport for the masses once again.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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