It's set to be an emotional occasion at Doncaster when the St Leger, Britain's final classic of the year takes place, just days after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II who loved horse racing. Record Sport will have a live blog running with all the action on Sunday. Here's Garry Owen's tips for the big day.
ELDAR ELDAROV (3.55) can hammer his rivals for Roger Varian in the Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster. The son of Dubawi announced himself by slamming Janoobi on debut at Nottingham in October. The strapping youngster was then given plenty of time to develop over the Winter by connections. He rewarded their patience by routing Post Impressionist on his return over 1m 2f at Newcastle. The colt then clearly relished tackling 1m 6f when chinning Zechariah in the Queen’s Vase at Ascot. The three-year-old wasn’t disgraced when fourth over an inadequate 1m 4f in a Longchamp Group 1. This bold-galloper is tailor-made for the last Classic so he can strike for a trainer who won it in 2014.
CHALDEAN (12.30) can sparkle for Andrew Balding in a tight renewal of the Champagne Stakes. The juvenile was an eye-catching fifth to Seductive Power on debut in a six-furlong Newbury novice. He took the step up to seven in his stride when thrashing Seeking Gold over seven at the same track. The colt improved again when cosily dismissing Indestructible in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York. The son of Frankel looks a proper Classic contender so he can deny his old foe once again up in class.
TANMAWWY (1.00) can turn up the heat for in-form Charlie Hills in the Cazoo Handicap. The four-year-old put in another career best when edging the useful Emperor Spirit at Ffos Las. The gelding won’t mind this slight step up in trip so he can shrug off a 7lb hike under Jim Crowley.
TRILLIUM (1.35) can rise to the challenge for Richard Hannon in the Flying Childers Stakes. The filly improved again when routing the talented Rocket Rodney in the Molecomb at Goodwood. There is plenty more to come from the smart sprinter who can add this Group 2 to her growing CV.
CHIPSTEAD (2.10) looks the pick of Roger Teal’s powerful team in the Coral Portland Handicap. The four-year-old looked very useful when rattling-off an impressive treble at Bath last Summer. However, he seemed to be in the grip of the handicapper with some poor runs early this season. The colt showed real signs of a revival when edged out by Cuban Breeze in a hot event at Windsor. The sprinter soon proved that effort was no fluke when bolting up from Isle Of Lismore at Sandown. That race is working out extremely well so this likeable type can shrug off a well-deserved 8lb hike.
KINROSS (3.20) can make his class tell for thriving Ralph Beckett in the Cazoo Park Stakes. The son of Kingman didn’t exactly set the heather on fire on his first couple of outings this season. However, he bounced back when narrowly beaten by Sandrine in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood. The gelding made no mistake next time when thrashing the talented Pogo in the City Of York Stakes. The five-year-old should still be in peak form so he should add this Group 2 to his ever-growing CV.
The P J Towey Handicap is a real puzzle but I’m backing Ed Bethell’s POINT LYNAS (4.30). A game winner at Redcar, the gelding showed his mettle again by edging Master Richard at York. The three-year-old is open to plenty of progress so he can complete a hat-trick despite a 5lb rise.
HMS PRESIDENT (5.55) can cruise to victory for Eve Johnson Houghton in the Mallard Stakes. The five-year-old ran another stormer when chinned by Sam Cooke in a hot event at Newmarket. The gelding remains nicely unexposed as a stayer so he can go one better for his thriving handler.
