Seven will go to post for the final Classic of the year, the 2025 Betfred St Leger at 3.40pm on Saturday afternoon at Doncaster. Aidan O’Brien will unleash a strong team of stayers looking to etch their name on the illustrious roll of honour, but our tipster Steve Chambers is taking on the master of Ballydoyle and picks out another Irish-trained raider that can land the coveted Group 1 prize this weekend.
Favourites
With five wins in the last 12 years, Aidan O’Brien has certainly become the dominant trainer in the St Leger and the legendary handler will unleash a three-pronged attack and the classy Balldoyle triumvirate will all head to Doncaster with a leading chance. According to the betting the number one for team O’Brien is Scandinavia, who built on a fine win in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket by landing victory in the Goodwood Cup. Edging out stablemate Illinois in that south coast clash, Scandinavia has shown to be all about stamina and he is one that will relish this 1m 6f Leger trip.
However, he will have a lively adversary in the shape of stablemate Lambourn, who heads into the contest a dual Derby winner. Having scooted to an emphatic victory in the Derby at Epsom way back in June, he then followed up in the Irish Derby to land the Classic double. He disappointed in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on his last outing, but he’s shown he’s a real Group 1 performer and like Scandinavia is all about stamina.
Fourth in the Great Voltigeur, Stay True is the least fancied of the O’Brien trio, but with only three races under his belt he’s one that is open to improvement. Whilst we know everything about Scandinavia and Lambourn, Stay True is certainly the unknown quantity and is an intriguing runner.
A strong Irish contingent will head to Doncaster and Paddy Twomey’s Carmers is arguably the biggest danger and he finished ahead of both Lambourn and Stay True in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. Unbeaten prior to that run, he was a fine winner of the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, where he incidentally got the better of Scandinavia in that run, so he has some top class form and is a leading player.
Outsiders
The final three runners will be flying the flag for the British and the first one of note is Andrew Balding’s Furthur, who bounced back from a last placed position in the Bahrain Trophy by winning the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury. A clear three-length winner that day, he will step up in grade considerably here and will need to improve to live with the Irish contingent.
Balding will be doubly represented and he will saddle the recent Melrose Handicap winner Tarriance, who is looking to land a third win in a row and continue his progression. A gutsy winner at York last time out, he’s shown he relishes the battle, but this is a major step up in class and he will have it all to do.
Third in the Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting, Rahieeb was then third in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, and whilst he’s been running well in Group races, Roger Varian’s charge will need a few of the more fancied ones to underperform here.
Verdict
A race that is set to be dominated by Ireland, but CARMERS can prove to be a real fly in the ointment for the Ballydoyle operation and Paddy Twomey’s classy stayer can get the better of dual Derby hero Lambourn, who can just outbattle Scandinavia in a thrilling renewal.
- Carmers
- Lambourn
- Scandinavia
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.