2016 St Leger runner profiles: All you need to know about the nine entries in Doncaster Classic
David Metcalf | September 8, 2016
St Leger runner profiles
The Group 1 St Leger takes centre stage on a cracking card at Doncaster on Saturday (15:45), and Idaho is currently odds-on to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fifth success in the race.
Coral’s horse racing experts look at the runner profiles of all nine entrants left in this year’s renewal of the 1m 6f Classic contest following the 48-hour declaration stage ahead of the race on Saturday, September 10th 2016.
Harbour Law
Trainer: Laura Mongan
Form: 21124
Laura Mongan horse Harbour Law has something to find on St Leger rivals he has lost to in previous races.
Won his first two starts this season in good style and ran a blinder when a 3/4 length runner-up to Sword Fighter in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.
The colt was also far from disgraced last time out when a two length fourth to Housesofparliament in a Group 3 at Newmarket, but this requires much more and it’s hard to see him reversing the form with the two aforementioned rivals.
Harrison
Trainer: Mick Channon
Form: 51-383394
Mick Channon’s Harrison looks to have no chance of capturing the St Leger Classic crown.
Has run some solid races in defeat this season without getting his head in front.
Finished a well-beaten eight lengths fourth of six to Idaho last time out in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York, looking very one paced in the process. Fully exposed and zero chance on all known form.
Housesofparliament
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form: 5-2134412
Housesofparliament is one of many St Leger runners to come from the all-conquering Aidan O’Brien stable.
One of three runners for leading Irish trainer O’Brien, Housesofparliament looks the stable second string, so maybe a forecast choice. Has been kept very busy this season and showed a likeable attitude when landing a Group 3 at Newmarket on his penultimate outing.
The son of Galileo also posted a solid effort last time out when a 1 3/4 length runner-up to Idaho at York and is versatile as regards ground. Looks sure to go well.
Idaho
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form: 14-23321
Idaho is a firm ante post favourite in the Doncaster Classic betting.
A progressive colt who ran very well to finish third to Harzand in the Investec Derby at Epsom, before going down by just 1/2 a length to the same rival in the Irish equivalent.
Warmed up for this with an impressive success in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur over 1m 4f at York when staying on strongly from off the pace to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths.
Looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip and brings the strongest form to the table. Idaho has the ideal profile for this race and the one to beat.
Muntahaa
Trainer: John Gosden
Form: 32131
John Gosden entrant Muntahaa is a serious St Leger contender.
A lightly-raced and unexposed colt who has won two of his five starts and is bidding to give trainer John Gosden his fifth winner in the race.
Ran a stormer at Royal Ascot when staying on strongly to finish third to Across The Stars in a Group 2 over 1m 4f, suggesting the extra two furlongs in this would be right up his street.
Showed a good attitude to score last time out at Chester on a track which didn’t play to his strengths and should have plenty more to offer, having not made his racecourse debut until April this year. Muntahaa is a major contender.
Ormito
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Form: 2147-33022
Other St Leger runner profiles suggest Ormito is up against the odds to land Classic success for Andrew Balding.
Has posted some solid efforts to make the the frame this season, including when runner-up in a Group 3 at Newbury last time out.
However, had finished behind Sword Fighter and Ventura Storm in his two outings prior to that and no reason why he should turn the tables with those rivals.
Up against it and will need to step up significantly on what he has achieved so far to make any sort of impact.
Sword Fighter
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form: 3-213115
Sword Fighter won the Coral sponsored Curragh Cup back in June.
A tough and consistent sort who has shown improved form throughout the season. After landing the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot he showed a good attitude to beat Landofhopeandglory by two lengths in the Group 2 Coral sponsored Curragh Cup.
Was also far from disgraced last time out when fifth in the Goodwood Cup over 2m and is a guaranteed stayer. That is a big plus and no surprise to see him go well at a price. Sword Fighter looks an each-way player.
The Tartan Spartan
Trainer: John Patrick Shanahan
Form: 17
Pat Shanahan horse The Tartan Spartan may find the St Leger a daunting prospect on just his third start.
Scored in good style on debut at Thirsk and ran well when seventh of 18 to Sword Fighter at Royal Ascot. Still looks a work in progress and a big ask for him to win a Classic on just his third start. Rank outsider.
Ventura Storm
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Form: 3110-186011
Ventura Storm may be a dark horse in the St Leger.
Comes into the race in terrific shape having landed a Listed contest at Hamilton and Group 3 at Deauville.
The form of the latter has been boosted with the runner-up having since come out and won, and Ventura Storm now gets the services of champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle for the first time.
This son of Zoffany is clearly thriving at present and, although he needs to raise his game to another level, it would be no surprise to see him outrun his odds and possibly make the frame.
Related
You’ll find more St Leger Festival content on Coral news’ horse racing page.
Have our St Leger runner profiles influenced your betting decision on the Doncaster Classic? Let us know in the comments below.
