St Leger festival: everything you need to know before Saturday’s Group 1 action
Your one-stop shop for St Leger festival news on Saturday morning
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Market movers
An easing of conditions at Doncaster has led to a major market move in the Cazoo St Leger (3.35) betting with The Mediterranean cut to 12-1 (from 18-1) by William Hill this morning.
He is one of four in the race for Aidan O’Brien, seeking a seventh Leger success, and The Mediterranean is a currently general 14-1 chance having been available at 18-1 overnight.
The son of Galileo has finished fourth in two Group races ran on testing ground and is to be ridden by Wayne Lordan, who is no stranger to causing a Classic upset onboard a Ballydoyle outsider. Lordan rode Winter to land the 1,000 Guineas in 2017 and repeated victory in that race two years on with 14-1 shot Hermosa.
The Andrew Balding-trained Youth Spirit is another who has shortened significantly. He was available at 33-1 with some firms last night but is currently 22-1 across the board, and as small as 16-1 in places.
Big-race favourite Hurricane Lane has drifted to 5-6 (from 4-5) with William Hill while Ottoman Emperor can be backed at 9-1, despite being a general 11-2 chance earlier this week.
Elsewhere, St Mark’s Basilica is a 5-6 favourite for the Irish Champion Stakes (2.45) and Mother Earth is 5-4 (from 6-4) in the Coolmore-sponsored Matron Stakes (1.40), the other Group 1 race at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Updated at 9.30am / posted at 8.15am
Going update
The going at Doncaster eased to good to soft, soft in places on Saturday morning after a further 8mm of rain on Friday.
The Yorkshire track had 5mm of rain after racing on Thursday while the going description changed from good to firm, good in places at the start of racing yesterday to good, good to soft in places after the fifth race.
A warm cloudy day is forecast at Doncaster on Saturday but with a small risk of further showers.
Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: “We had another 4mm of rain after racing yesterday. The forecast says there’s a 20 per cent chance of showers during racing today.
“It could dry a little bit but I don’t expect a lot as we don’t have the temperature or the wind to make a huge difference.”
The ground at Leopardstown remains good but a few showers are possible.
Updated at 8.30am / posted at 8.15am
Non-runners
Doncaster
1.15
3 Thunder Legend
5 Nasim
1.45
5 Jawwaal
9 Justanotherbottle
11 King Of Stars
20 Mid Winster
21 Saluti
5.10
1 Qaysar
2 Dance Fever
3 Cruyff Turn
4 Irish Admiral
Updated at 9.30am/ posted at 8.15a
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Saturday’s race previews:
1.40 Leopardstown: key quotes as challengers gather against Guineas winner Mother Earth in Matron
1.45 Doncaster: ‘He’s due a bit of luck this season’ – Portland Handicap insight and quotes
2.10 Leopardstown: Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney drops in class and trip in the Boomerang
2.20 Doncaster: star juveniles Reach For The Moon and Lusail clash in early 2022 Classic preview
3.00 Doncaster: big plus for Laneqash with Jim Crowley on board but Danyah set to have a say too
3.35 Doncaster: Charlie Appleby confident ‘class horse’ Hurricane Lane will stay St Leger trip
