St Leger confirmed runners & riders plus Templegate tip as Frankie Dettori switches rides & King & Queen go for glory
THE final Classic of the season is upon us - and it is one loaded with storylines.
Frankie Dettori dramatically switched rides at the last minute.
Will it prove a genius move - or one he will come to regret it in his last ever Classic?
Meanwhile, can King Charles and Queen Camilla end the 46-year wait for another Royal Classic winner with Desert Hero?
The big race, worth more than £400,000 to the winner, is off at 3.35pm on Saturday and live on ITV1.
Here, Templegate goes through every runner one by one and reveals his big tip at the bottom.
St Leger runners and riders
ALEXANDROUPOLIS
Jockey: Sean Levey
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
AL no pal. This son of Camelot has been a little disappointing this season. He was favourite when only third in the Ballysax on comeback before a modest effort in Listed company last time. Is closely related to Leger winner Kew Gardens so should like this trip but needs a lot more.
ARREST
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Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
REST easy. Loves it soft as he showed when winning the Chester Vase in a bog before finishing only tenth as the Derby favourite in quicker conditions. Ground was too lively again when poor at Royal Ascot but he came back to form in easier going for the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. Dettori’s pick after the Town Moor ground eased and that gives him a chance.
CHESSPIECE
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford
CHESS has moves. Has progressed well from handicaps this season with a fine third in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot before a Hamilton Listed success. Handled soft ground when second in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and looks the type to improve for this hike in distance. No shock if he makes the frame.
CONTINUOUS
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
CON is on. Slammed today’s rival Gregory when striding clear in the Great Voltigeur at York last time. That built on his good second to King Of Steel at Royal Ascot where he was clear best of the rest ahead of Arrest. He looks tailor made for this longer distance and landed a decent win as a two-year-old on soft. The other Aidan O’Brien runners will make sure he has a good pace to aim at and he’s the one to beat on form.
DENMARK
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
WIDE of Mark. Hasn’t won since his maiden on debut at Naas last August but was an excellent second in the Melrose at York before a slightly disappointing third in a Haydock handicap last time. He has plenty of staying power but is a difficult ride and needs lots of improvement to figure in this company.
DESERT HERO
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Trainer: William Haggas
HERO hope. The King and Queen have a live chance with this son of the great Sea The Stars who is improving with every run. He relished stepping up to 1m4f when landing his first win of the season at Newbury before he progressed again to take the King George V at Royal Ascot despite meeting trouble in running. He stepped out of handicap level to beat Chesspiece in the Gordon Stakes and can improve again for this longer trip. Contender.
GREGORY
Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
GREGORY pick. He didn’t race as a two-year-old and kicked off this season with a good maiden win at Haydock. The Gosdens then stepped him into Listed company for an impressive success at Goodwood in May. He moved up to this distance for a smooth victory in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot where the test of stamina was ideal. He then dropped to 1m4f for the Great Voltigeur where Frankie went a mad pace early on and he was easily passed by Continuous. Going back up in trip is ideal and he’ll be a big threat if enjoying the slowest ground he’s tackled so far.
MIDDLE EARTH
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
MID division. Started this season in maidens and got off the mark at Newmarket before leaving that form way behind when winning the Melrose at York over this sort of distance. This is clearly a lot tougher but he has plenty of staying power and there should be a lot more to come. Another with an each-way chance.
TOWER OF LONDON
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
TOWER needs power. Won a decent Listed contest at Leopardstown in June before improving to take the Ulster Derby at Down Royal over 1m5f. He might have won the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last time out in July had Ryan Moore not dropped his whip. It was still a good second and he was full of running at the finish. This is harder so he’ll have to find more to figure.
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Templegate's tip
CONTINUOUS was so impressive when winning the Great Voltigeur at York and has already beaten his main rivals Arrest and Gregory this season. He has lots of stamina and should cope with the easier ground.
The Gosden pair will be thereabouts again with softer conditions boosting the chances of Frankie’s mount Arrest. The King’s Desert Hero isn’t out of it but needs to take a step forward.
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