John Gosden trained Stradivarius has most appeal for St Leger
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With just over a month to go until the oldest Classic in the calendar, we run the rule over the contenders for the 241st running of the St Leger at Doncaster.
A total of 45 entries have been received for the 2017 edition of the race which takes place on 16 September.
Run over 1m 6f, the last Classic of the season produced a big-priced winner last time out.
Last year’s renewal saw outsider Harbour Law defy odds of 22/1 to win by three-quarters of a length on soft ground for trainer Laura Mongan.
We don’t think you’ll get a horse winning at that sort of price this time around.
But it’s worth noting that in the last ten St. Leger meetings; only twice has the favourite gone on to win.
For that reason we like the John Gosden trained STRADIVARIUS to play to a tune and clean up at 5/1.
The three-year-old colt has been in sensational form this season and most recently defied the experts (including us) to claim the Goodwood Cup over Big Orange.
Gosden has an excellent record in this race having won three of the last nine and we fancy one of his yard to do the business again.
However, the main ante-post fancy is Capri at 3/1.
The three-year-old colt has not been in great form this season, though.
He did however see off impressive company at the Curragh last month to land the Irish Derby from Cracksman and Wings of Eagles.
He’ll have to go back up in trip if he wants to claim a first St. Leger victory for Aiden O’Brien since 2013.
What’s more, his sire Galileo does not have a great record for producing winners of this race.
Sixties Icon in 2003 stands as the legendary horse’s only St Leger winner following the controversial defeat of Bondi Beach in 2013.
Four out of the last six renewals have been won by sub-8/1 shots, while only three victors since the turn of the millennium have come from Godolphin.
For that reason the 7/2 shot Crystal Ocean might be the way to go.
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt is yet to finish outside the top three and will likely have Ryan Moore or Andrea Atzeni in the saddle, both of whom are in excellent form.
Click here for the latest St Leger odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
