The last Classic of the British season…
Lambourn attempts to bag his third Classic of the campaign in the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.
The dual Derby winner needs to bounce back from a disappointing display in the Great Voltigeur, however, and faces six rivals including stablemate and potential star Scandinavia.
The Justify colt laid down a marker when claiming the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in August, although last year’s St Leger-winning jockey, Sean Levey, plumps for Lambourn.
Ballydoyle, without Ryan Moore or Wayne Lordan available to ride, also field Stay True.
Carmers is another making the trip across the Irish Sea and Paddy Twomey will be hoping for a repeat of his Queen’s Vase success when a number of reopposing rivals including Scandinavia were behind.
The Andrew Balding-trained Furthur, among the beaten horses in that Royal Ascot race, arrives in winning form after a facile victory in the Geoffrey Freer.
The Kingsclere handler also saddles the hat-trick seeking Tarriance and Roger Varian’s Rahiebb completes the field for Saturday’s 15:40.
St Leger odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise, Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
St Leger 2025 verdict
Timeform: Aidan O’Brien holds a very strong hand in his bid to land a third successive Leger with LAMBOURN and Scandinavia both leading contenders on form. There’s little to separate them in truth, with the former earning the narrow vote given he’s expected to bounce back to something like his Derby form, having looked and shaped as if better for the outing in the Great Voltigeur at York last time. Carmers shouldn’t be at all underestimated however, especially as a return to this trip could unlock more.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
St Leger 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the St Leger 2025.
Carmers
Trainer: P. Twomey Jockey: William James Lee Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4
Has progressed notably well, winning his first 3 starts, including a good renewal of the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, holding on gamely. Shaped well when runner-up in the Great Voltigeur and is a very interesting runner with further progress likely back at 1¾m.
****
Furthur
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 6
Tall colt who shaped as if amiss in the Bahrain Trophy and resumed his progress when running out a comfortable winner of the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (13/2) at Newbury (13.3f, good to firm) last month, kept up to work. Worth a shot at this but may only be playing for minor honours.
***
Lambourn
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 1
Chester Vase winner who produced a very smart performance when winning 18-runner Derby at Epsom (12f) before pulling out all the stops to follow up in the Irish Derby. Looked and ran as if better for outing when only fifth in Great Voltigeur at York and expected to bounce back to his best here.
*****
Rahiebb
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Ray Dawson Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 2
Overcame greenness to make a winning debut in 1m novice at Newcastle in March and has shown better form in defeat since, including when a close third in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. Not at his best in Gordon Stakes last time and this is a big ask for that he’ll benefit from a return to 1¾m.
**
Scandinavia
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 7
Justify colt who made up into a very smart performer. responding well to this headgear when a wide-margin winner of the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Suited by the step up to 2m when following up in the Goodwood Cup and holds leading claims with stamina assured.
****
Stay True
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Mickael Barzalona Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 3
Looked a smart prospect when making a successful debut in Leopardstown maiden in April. Only just edged out fast tracked to listed company in Lingfield Derby Trial and fared best of the O’Brien quartet in the Great Voltigeur at York, albeit well positioned. Likely to stay 1¾m and retains potential.
***
Tarriance
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 5
Fine pedigree and has done nothing but progress in his first season, digging deep to make it 3 wins from 5 starts in the Melrose Handicap at York (13.8f) 3 weeks ago. This requires another sizeable jump in form terms, however.
**
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