Fast early pace the only way to beat Camelot in St Leger

Put simply, if Camelot stays the 1m6f in the St Leger then he will certainly win, but there is the argument that one of the friends of the punters will get beaten at some point this season.

Camelot is 1/3 to win the St Leger and has already left punters celebrating in the 2,000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby this season.

Throw in the additional successes of Frankel and Black Caviar and punters have largely held the upper hand over the bookies.

However, if one race is to upset the applecart then the St Leger may be it, as Camelot bids to become the first horse since 1970 to land the Triple Crown.

Camelot is by no means guaranteed to stay, with trainer Aidan O’Brien stating that he is “pushing the boat out” in terms of stamina.

He will be looking for a slow early pace for the first mile to allow Camelot to retain the energy so his superior speed can be brought into play.

Two other O’Brien runners are in the field and although Chamonix and Imperial Monarch are talented in their own rights, the pair may be sacrificed in order to set the race up for Camelot.

The rest of the field will know that if they are to get Camelot beat, then making sure there is an even pace from the stalls will be vital.

This responsibility will likely fall on Dartford, a 200/1 chance from the John Gosden yard, who was well beaten in a Group Three on his latest start.

He is purely in the field to carry out pace-making duties for Gosden’s other runner Michelangelo, who finished third last time but suggested that a step up to 1m6f for the St Leger would suit.

Like Camelot, Ursa Major is another Irish runner and from all of the St Leger entrants, looks the most guaranteed to see out the trip.

There is still the possibility that he will take up an engagement in the Irish St Leger instead, but if he heads to Doncaster, a fast early pace would suit.

This pair look capable of taking advantage of any Camelot stamina issues, with Michelangelo currently 10/1 to win the St Leger, while Ursa Major is 33/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing