Group One St Leger Stakes Guide 2023

The big story in the St Leger could come in the form of a first Classic for the Royal Family since the death of Queen Elizabeth.Desert Hero will be the ride of Tom Marquand, and he has looked largely progressive throughout this season.

The William Haggas runner edged out Chesspiece to land the G3 Gordon Stakes in early August, and also scored over a mile and four to beat Valiant King by a head in the King George V Stakes.

On both occasions, he has needed every yard of the mile and four, and this step up in trip could bring out even more from the three-year-old.

Oisin Murphy takes the ride on Middle Earth for John & Thady Gosden this weekend. The three-year-old could be one of the runners that has been slightly overlooked in the betting, as he was excellent over a mile and six to beat Denmark by nearly two lengths in the Melrose Handicap at York.

He shaped on that day that he will excel with the step up in trip, and his form looks exceptionally strong on paper. Hard to dismiss.

Alexandroupolis is one of four potential runners in the St Leger this weekend for Aidan O’Brien. The three-year-old was an eye-catching winner on debut on soft ground at Galway, but he is yet to reach the same heights this term.

His most recent effort came at Leopardstown over a mile and six, as he finished over five lengths behind Harbour Wind in the Vinnie Roe Stakes. Appears as though he has too much to find in this company.

Denmark is another runner from the Aidan O’Brien yard this weekend. The three-year-old is winless in four starts since scoring on debut over a mile at Naas.

He has run over a mile and six in each of his previous two starts, with the best of those performances coming when finishing just under two lengths behind Middle Earth in the Melrose Handicap. However, this looks a huge challenge.

Tower Of London is a runner for Aidan O’Brien in the St Leger this weekend. The three-year-old was second on his previous appearance over a mile and five, as he was beaten by a head by Castle Way in the G3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes.

However, he could be one that is well suited to this distance after previously winning the Ulster Derby over a mile and five. But, he has struggled on soft ground on each of his previous two starts.

Aidan O’Brien’s leading chance for a first St Leger win since 2018 comes in the form of Continuous on Saturday. The three-year-old was excellent on his previous start, as he finished over three lengths clear of Castle Way to score in the G2 Great Voltiguer Stakes.

He also finished ahead of Arrest when finishing second two King of Steel in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes. He should be sound on the ground, after previously winning on very soft at Salisbury last September.

Frankie Dettori rides Arrest in his final run in the St Leger. The John & Thady Gosden runner was excellent over an extended mile and five on his previous start, beating Ching Shih by over a length to land the G3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

He was the winner on very soft conditions at Chester in May, beating Adelaide River by six lengths in the G3 Chester Vase Stakes. The more rain, the better for this three-year-old.

The sole Godolphin representative in the field this year comes from the Simon & Ed Crisford stable, as Chesspiece will be the ride of James Doyle. The three-year-old was narrowly beaten by Desert Hero over a mile and four on soft ground in the G3 Gordon Stakes.

However, he has form to find with Gregory after finishing over five lengths behind his rival over a mile and six in the G2 Queen’s Vase at Ascot in June. Still, a bold bid is likely on favourable ground this weekend.

Gregory had been the long time favourite for the St Leger, but he has drifted since the decision of Frankie Dettori to jump on Arrest. Kieran Shoemark now takes the ride on the John & Thady Gosden runner.

The three-year-old was third behind Continuous in the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes on his previous effort. However, he remains an exceptionally strong contender based on his commanding win over a mile and six in the G2 Queen’s Vase at Ascot.