St Leger 2016 tips: Idaho can storm to success in Doncaster Classic
Published:
David Metcalf | September 9, 2016
St Leger 2016 tips: Idaho a Doncaster gem
Idaho has some top class form to his name, so looks a worthy red-hot favourite to provide leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fifth winner of the St Leger on Saturday (15:45).
The Ballydoyle handler’s last win in the 1m 6f Doncaster Classic contest came courtesy of Landing Light in 2013 and in Idaho he has a progressive colt who is improving with every run.
After running a stormer when a 2 3/4 length third of 16 to Harzand in the Investec Derby at Epsom, the three-year-old got much closer to that rival when runner-up in the Irish equivalent.
Idaho battled all the way to the line to go down by just 1/2 a length and the pair pulled well clear of the third home Stellar Mass who has won twice since.
Impressive in Great Voltigeur
The son of Galileo then took advantage of a drop in grade to gain a deserved success in the Group 2 Voltigeur Stakes at York when last seen in action.
After being held-up off the pace, Idaho stayed on strongly to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths from stable companion Housesofparliament.
He was well on top and powering away the the finish of the 1m 4f contest, suggesting the extra two furlongs in this would be right up his street.
An official rating of 120 also gives Idaho 7lb and upwards in hand on his rivals and, with Seamie Heffernan in the saddle, he looks a cut-above the opposition.
Muntahaa a major contender
Trainer John Gosden is also bidding for his fifth success in the race and has a big player in the shape of Muntahaa.
This colt only made his racecourse debut in April of this year and has won two of his five starts.
Muntahaa also ran a crackling race at Royal Ascot when staying on strongly to finish third to Across The Stars in a Group 2 over 1m 4f and looks sure to relish the longer trip in this .
The son of Dansili also comes into this Doncaster Classic on the back of a battling success in a handicap at Chester on a track which didn’t play to his strengths, so the return to a galloping venue is a big plus.
With the prospect of plenty more to come, Muntahaa looks sure to make his presence felt.
Sword Fighter a lively outsider
Sword Fighter is proven over the trip and could well be the each-way value, as the colt is a stable companion to Idaho and has shown improved form throughout the season.
After landing the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, Sword Fighter showed a good attitude to beat Landofhopeandglory by two lengths in the Group 2 Curragh Cup, which Coral sponsored.
The son of Galileo was also far from disgraced against his elders when fifth last time out in the Goodwood Cup, and Sword Fighter is a tough sort who looks capable of running a big race now back against his own age group.
Related
There’s more St Leger Festival tips on Coral news’ dedicated page.
Coral’s top tip: Idaho has by far the strongest form in the book and rates a solid bet to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fifth winner of the St Leger. Stable companion Sword Fighter looks a lively outsider and each-way value.
