There’s a feast of top-class flat racing action coming up this weekend with Doncaster hosting the British season’s final Classic, the St Leger, Irish Champions weekend across Leopardstown and the Curragh, as well as Arc Trials day at Longchamp.
The unfortunate timing of the Irish and British St Legers often sees the best stayers kept apart and each race cut up, which is looking a likely scenario particularly for the Irish St Leger this Sunday.
There are big question marks over Order Of St George’s participation as his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, has reported him struggling to make the race, citing his advancing years as taking their toll.
That would leave Flag Of Honour as the O’Brien first-string, and a renewal really thin on star quality behind that.
Should Order Of St George defect, I would be pretty confident of Irish Derby winner LATROBE switching his sights from Doncaster to the Curragh, a track he’s proven at.
This was suggested by his trainer Joseph O’Brien’s race planner Kevin Blake on ITV on Saturday, and with the family connection you’d suspect Joseph’s information is accurate.
This race could really cut up as I can’t see Capri running, as he looks more likely to run in the Arc trial on Sunday and is likely to come on plenty for the run, while third-fav’ Weekender is shy of Group One class on past form and fourth-favourite Best Solution is being targeted at the Melbourne Cup and may have already entered quarantine.
That would surely leave Latrobe a short price in what looks a far more winnable Group One than the Doncaster St Leger, where Aidan O’Brien looks to have a strong hand.
Well worth an early bet for a horse that would have every chance on the form of his Irish Derby win.
1pt ante-post win Latrobe @16/1, 16:50 Curragh, Sunday 16th September
Leave a comment