Irish Derby winner looks St Leger cert
CAPRI (3.35, nap) can give Aidan O’Brien his fifth St Leger success at Doncaster today.
The Irish Derby winner’s CV is impressive when compared to those of his stablemates. His market rivals will also need to improve if they are to beat him.
Defoe and Crystal Ocean are alongside him at the head of the betting but they have only won Group Threes to date.
Stradivarius’ Goodwood Cup success last month showed he has the stamina required to win a Leger and he previously won over today’s trip at Royal Ascot. At 7-1 he looks the best each-way option.
Andrew Balding has said that Count Octave will be even better next season. That will put many off backing the colt each-way but he was only a neck behind Stradivarius in the Queen’s Vase and is twice his price.
Coronet has come up against the Arc favourite Enable in three of her last four races – Group Ones at Epsom, the Curragh and York. With nothing of Enable’s ability in the race she should go close if she lasts home.
Ryan Moore had three winners at Doncaster yesterday and may well have another treble.
BATTERED (4.45) is a worthy favourite for his race and his mount in the opening sprint, Lexington Abbey, is well drawn. Marginal preference, though, is for COMPAS SCOOBIE (1.50) who ran well in defeat last time.
HOME OF THE BRAVE (2.25) is always hard to beat over seven furlongs, so worth a close look.