September 13 / 15.40 Doncaster

15.40

Good To Soft

Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings)

  • Prize money: £396970
  • 1m 6f 115y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
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Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 7-1511

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Plenty went wrong for him racing wide in the 1m6f Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot but he rallied strongly for a close fifth, just behind three of today's rivals; much better with cheekpieces since, winning a five-runner Group 3 at Newmarket (1m5f) by nearly 9l and outgunning his older stablemate Illinois in their duel for the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); that makes him look the strongest stayer in this field and gives him almost the best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(3)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Scandinavia

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Plenty went wrong for him in the Queen's Vase here one year ago (still a close fifth) but unbeaten with cheekpieces added for his five starts since; that includes the St Leger at Doncaster (by a neck from Rahiebb) in September and two 1m6f events this spring (familiar route to this race for his stable) but also, and perhaps most tellingly, the 2m Goodwood Cup last July in which he asserted late on from last year's Gold Cup second; high class and there's plenty in those 1m6f/2m performances which suggests he will be a thorough stayer.

7/4

1st

1

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

19:22 Leopardstown

Scandinavia

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Won four of his five races at three; improved with cheekpieces after Queen's Vase fifth, won a 1m5f Group 3 at Newmarket by almost 9l and mastering older stablemate Illinois in the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); dug deep to hold off Rahiebb on soft ground in the St Leger; readily coped with Dallas Star at Navan last month and now continues on the Kyprios route to the Gold Cup.

2/9

1st

2

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

15:05 Navan

Scandinavia

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Won four of his five races at three, the exception when a close-up fifth behind Carmers in the 1m6f Queen's Vase; improved with cheekpieces, winning a five-runner 1m5f Group 3 at Newmarket by almost 9l and mastering older stablemate Illinois in the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); dug deep to hold off Rahieb on soft ground in the St Leger (Carmers fifth); top-class stayer.

4/5

25/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 122234

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Progressive first five races, finishing bang there with Carmers, Furthur and Scandinavia when third in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and he came from significantly further back than the first two; that's his only attempt at 1m6f and he took his first backward step when fourth in the storm at Goodwood (1m4f Group 3) on latest outing; that can probably be forgiven but he needs to resume his progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(10)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Rahiebb

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Two clashes with Scandinavia last term (Royal Ascot and the St Leger) indicated there was little between them at about 1m6f; progress from 3yo to 4yo has delighted his trainer, backed up with an authoritative win from Al Nayyir in the Yorkshire Cup at York, again over 1m6f; lots to like but the difficulty is knowing how well he will be suited by 2m4f.

4/1

1st

6

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Rahiebb

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Broadly progressive on a range of ground in his first season last year, despite being 0-6 after debut success; beaten a neck from off the pace in the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f, soft) on final start; that makes him one of the form picks in today's field and, although this trip may eventually turn out to be shorter than ideal, he should be a big player.

7/2

Form: 124

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Three of Aidan O'Brien's last four St Leger winners were by Galileo and this colt is from the great sire's final crop; unraced on softer than good; won a 1m2f Leopardstown maiden and short-headed in 11.6f Lingfield Derby Trial; off for more than three months before he upstaged stablemate Lambourn in the 1m4f Great Voltigeur at York, taking over briefly more than 1f out, and although he finished fourth he was pipped for second only on the line by Carmers; there's more for him to prove regarding stamina today compared to all of his rivals, but O'Brien made clear that the York race was needed; after just three races, he still looks an exciting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(3)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Ascot

Stay True

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 1m2f Leopardstown maiden and short-headed in 11.6f Lingfield Derby Trial before a three-month absence; returned with further improved efforts when close up in the Great Voltigeur at York (1m4f, good to firm) and the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f, soft) and he threatened to win in both those races; he therefore remains a very classy prospect but he's not been shaping as if this extra distance is what he needs.

5/1

3rd

6

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Stay True

9st 3lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: A P O’Brien

Three of Aidan O'Brien's last four St Leger winners were by Galileo and this colt is from the great sire's final crop; unraced on softer than good; won a 1m2f Leopardstown maiden and short-headed in 11.6f Lingfield Derby Trial; off for more than three months before he upstaged stablemate Lambourn in the 1m4f Great Voltigeur at York, taking over briefly more than 1f out, and although he finished fourth he was pipped for second only on the line by Carmers; there's more for him to prove regarding stamina today compared to all of his rivals, but O'Brien made clear that the York race was needed; after just three races, he still looks an exciting prospect.

8/1

4th

6

(5)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Stay True

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

400,000gns purchase as a foal, from the last crop of Galileo; knuckled down to win a Leopardstown maiden (1m2f, good) in April in clearcut style; ran odds-on stablemate to a short head in Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) in May, which augured well (despite subsequent performances of the winner) but he's been off since; faced with three more stablemates, including dual Derby winner, it will be fascinating to see his market strength.

7/1

OUR TIP

11/4

Form: -21115 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Set the pace when winning the Derby at Epsom by nearly 4l and helped to set it when he dug deep to follow up in Irish Derby at the Curragh (again 1m4f on good) later in June; 3l fifth when 4-5 in the Great Voltigeur at York last month looked disappointing, notwithstanding the sprint from early in the straight, but his trainer has stressed that it was a stepping stone to bigger prizes in the autumn; the two Derby wins suggest this trip won't be a problem and they are the best form in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Winner of the 2025 Derby; has worn cheekpieces this season, gamely beating Bay City Roller in the Huxley at Chester (good-ground Group 2) then failing by a long way to confirm the placings in a one-sided Coronation Cup on softer going; behind stablemate Jan Brueghel in that contest and is still a tad inferior to that horse on ratings but it will be interesting to see what he can do in the retained headgear returned to a forecast faster surface.

20/1

3rd

6

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Lambourn

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Most wins on good ground but has form on soft; held on by only a neck from Bay City Roller on better terms in the Huxley (1m2f Group 2) at Chester on seasonal debut but proved game in first-time cheekpieces and, based on Ryan Moore's post-race comments, will come on for the run; notable contender in the retained headgear returned to the scene of his biggest moment, namely a clearcut success in last year's Derby (followed up in the Irish version).

13/2

5th
1 (4)
Carmers

9/2

Form: 1112 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Blinkered all starts, none on softer than good; won his first three races, culminating in 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot by three quarters of a length from Furthur; off two months before the Great Voltigeur at York (down to 1m4f) in which he lost his unbeaten record but showed further improved form, outpaced in behind horses before rallying strongly when switched, prevailing in a photo for second which also involved Stay True; that suggests better still is likely on today's step back up in trip; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(4)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Carmers

9st 3lb

J: W J Lee

T: P Twomey

Won last May/June in his first three races, notably the 1m6f Queen's Vase at this meeting (good to firm) where he seized the initiative entering the straight and finished with three of today's rivals snapping at his heels; Scandinavia and Rahiebb comfortably turned the tables on him in the St Leger at Doncaster in September, however; latest start may have bolstered hopes, as he stepped up to 2m and switched from blinkers to a visor when well on top in a Listed race, but that was in far less demanding company.

18/1

1st

1

(2)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Down Royal

Carmers

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: P Twomey

Won his first three races around this time last year, notably 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase; better again in defeat when second in 1m4f Great Voltigeur and fifth to Scandinavia in St Leger; not quite at same level on last month's seasonal return behind same rival in Navan Listed; visor now replaces blinkers.

5/4

11/1

Form: -15251

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
All this season's races have been on good or firmer; second in the 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, on the heels of Carmers; flopped behind Scandinavia at Newmarket three weeks later but resumed his improvement to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (13.2f) four weeks ago, coming from almost last to first in a steadily run, six-runner race to score by 3l; better still is required but that win was delivered in good style.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Furthur

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Andrew Balding

Both wins have been at Newbury, in a maiden over 1m3f last April and a Group 3 over 1m5f (good to firm) last August; respectable sixth in the St Leger in September but he's been below that level in all four starts since, including when beating only Duke Of Oxford home over this C&D in May; drops back to 2m having contested the Gold Cup two weeks ago.

5/1

10th

8

(6)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Second to Carmers in bunched finish to 1m6f Queen's Vase here last year and impressive in Group 3 at Newbury (1m5f, again good to firm) last August; he's been put firmly in his place on all four outings since, however, beaten just over 4l behind Scandinavia and Rahiebb in the St Leger at Doncaster on first occasion, which was creditable, but singularly underwhelming this season in Yorkshire Cup and 2m Sandown Group 3; needs a huge turnaround.

66/1

6th

7

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

He hasn't kicked on since beating Epic Poet to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August and failed to threaten when fourth in the Yorkshire Cup at York three weeks ago; however, he could improve for that first outing since finishing mid-division in the Melbourne Cup (gelded between those starts); this 4yo remains one to be interested in.

4/1

22/1

Form: 31211

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Five races and highly progressive, winning three; penultimate start saw him take a handicap at Sandown (1m6f, good) from Pendragon, whose next race saw him take second in yesterday's Doncaster Cup; latest start was the prestigious Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) in which his battling qualities were again strongly in evidence and he won on the nod; a promising stayer, for sure, and that's twice he's pulled it out of the fire but the St Leger is a much more demanding task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Tarriance

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Won the C&D Melrose Handicap (good to firm) last August, before the St Leger proved too tough; gelded soon after and creditable third in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) in February, but he needs to bounce back with a big career best after his heavy defeat in 2m Ascot Group 3 (9-1) two weeks ago.

25/1

8th

8

(8)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Tarriance

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) last August, before the St Leger proved too tough; gelded soon after and ran well when third in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) in February; runner-up Tabletalk conceded him 11lb that day and it's only 1lb today, but this 4yo should retain potential for 2m+.

9/2

7th

7

(5)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Tarriance

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Five races and highly progressive, winning three; penultimate start saw him take a handicap at Sandown (1m6f, good) from Pendragon, whose next race saw him take second in yesterday's Doncaster Cup; latest start was the prestigious Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) in which his battling qualities were again strongly in evidence and he won on the nod; a promising stayer, for sure, and that's twice he's pulled it out of the fire but the St Leger is a much more demanding task.

22/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.60
Straight Forecast £29.29
Trifecta £149.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Lambourn

POSTDATA:

Carmers

SPOTLIGHT:

Scandinavia

Telegraph:

Stay True

NEWMARKET:

Rahiebb

TOPSPEED:

Lambourn

The Guardian:

Lambourn

Daily Mirror:

Lambourn

The Star:

Lambourn

D Express:

Stay True

The Sun:

Carmers

Daily Record:

Carmers

The Times:

Scandinavia

Daily Mail:

Scandinavia