The final Classic of the season, the Betfred St Leger takes place at Doncaster racecourse on Saturday (16h35).
The top yards of Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden look to dominate the 2023 renewal, fielding seven of the nine nominations.
Frankie Dettori – it’s been an emotional and fabulous year (Pic: Supplied)
Continuous, currently 3/1 joint favourite, was an impressive last to first winner of the well-established Leger trial – the Gr2 Great Voltigeur at York last month.
The Aidan O’Brien runner had the reopposing Chesspiece (10/1) and joint favourite Gregory (3/1) four and five lengths behind in second and third when a ready winner over a mile and a half on good to firm ground.
Ridden to see out the trip under a masterful ride by Ryan Moore, Continuous had too much pace at the finish for two of his main rivals on Saturday, but the extra two and a half furlongs at Town Moor is the big unknown for the son of heart’s Cry.
Gregory, a son of Golden Horn by a Galileo mare, looks sure to improve for the step up in trip and has already been flagged by John Gosden as a Gold Cup type next season.
Frankie Dettori stays aboard the Wathnan Racing owned colt who was pestered for the lead from the start at York last time out. In what looks to have been a prep run for the big one on Saturday, he is a big runner on the expected soft ground.
The royal runner Desert Hero (5/1), is improving all the time according to his trainer William Haggas.
The progressive stayer heads to the final Classic off the back of victories in the King George V at Royal Ascot and the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
His trainer is confident there’s more to come from his progressive colt.
Haggas told the media on Tuesday: “He’s doing very well physically and I’m very pleased with him. He’s got himself up to a good level but will need to step forward again if he’s going to win the Leger.”
With the Gosden trained Arrest not certain to run, its noteworthy that stable companion Middle Earth (7/1) has been supplemented to run after a game success in the Melrose Handicap over Saturday’s distance at the Ebor meeting. Proven to stay, he provides the Gosden camp with back-up in the staying classic.
The expected rain could make this more of a test and play into the hands of Dettori and Gregory, who looks likely to go off favourite being Dettori’s final Classic ride.
He had to carry a 3lb penalty at York, and now at level weights over further should serve it up to Continuous.
Chesspiece, the King’s horse Desert Hero and the supplemented Middle Earth are no back numbers and will ensure an absorbing clash in what looks to be a small but quality field.
Can Frankie do it again on Saturday?
