St Leger hopeful Defoe best backed horse heading to Doncaster

The St Leger Festival is fast approaching and our traders are reporting sustained interest in Classic hopeful Defoe ahead of Saturday’s big race.

Punters are latching onto the Roger Varian-trained charge with the progressive colt now 9/2 from 6/1 to take the 1m6f contest.

Defoe’s victory in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes last time out brought up a four-timer for the ever-improving son of Dalakhani.

However, we’ve gone 6/4 for Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner Capri to go off as favourite for the St Leger, ahead of Crystal Ocean (9/4 in the same market) and Defoe (3/1).

O’Brien’s leading hopeful is currently the 10/3 market leader ahead of his assault on Town Moor.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “This is the strongest renewal we have seen of the St Leger in a long time with so many boxes being ticked. Although a case can be made for any number of entries, punters have really latched onto Defoe.

“Knowing this race could turn into a right slog, he is the best backed horse of the meeting at this stage.”

Ladbrokes Latest Betting:

2017 St Leger

Capri – 10/3

Crystal Ocean 7/2

Defoe – 9/2

Stradivarius – 6/1

Coronet – 13/2

Venice Beach – 10/1

12/1 bar

To go off favourite for the St Leger

Capri – 6/4

Crystal Ocean – 9/4

Defoe – 3/1

Stradivarius – 8/1

Coronet – 12/1

16/1 for any other horse

Click here for the latest Horse Racing odds.

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