ITV Racing Tips: Ballydoyle domination to continue with Continuous in St Leger
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The Classic campaign comes to an end this Saturday with the running of the St Leger.
The oldest Classic in the calendar could produce one of the most significant results of many a year if Desert Hero lands the historic prize for the King and Queen.
It is 46 years since Dunfermline became the last horse to win a Classic in the royal colours when she defeated the great Alleged at Doncaster.
Desert Hero won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood but will have to spoil Frankie Dettori’s farewell tour to claim the spoils.
Dettori has switched to Arrest, from long-time favourite Gregory, while there are four runners representing Aidan O’Brien.
The St Leger will climax a six-race schedule which kicks off at 13:25 on ITV and we have previewed three of the day’s significant races in our ITV Racing Tips.
King’s Lynn was a sterling performer for the late Queen Elizabeth, winning the Wokingham, so it would be ironic if he were to win the Portland on his first start since being let go by the Royal Family.
That could be the outcome on his first start in trainer’s Andrew Balding’s silks. He has been given a chance by the handicapper, who has dropped him 3lb.
He was ninth at Royal Ascot this year and a hampered sixth next time out while his run in the Stewards Cup on bottomless ground can be forgiven.
Audience produced a career best to finish second, half a length down, behind Kinross at York in August.
It was a much better effort than what he had produced at Goodwood behind that rival on soft ground.
Unlike many of these he has had a light campaign and, with no Kinross in the field, can give loyal Gosden jockey Robert Havlin a deserved Group 2 success.
Someone is going to leave Doncaster disappointed whether it is the King and Queen or Frankie Dettori as they seek what would be a memorable victory in the season’s final Classic, And it could be both.
Desert Hero has stamina to prove while Arrest needs to show more class after finishing tenth in the Derby when favourite.
We know he goes on soft ground but so too does Continuous who was given a very patient ride to win the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore have been in unstoppable form this year. Expect it to continue with Continuous.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday, 16th September
13:50 Doncaster – Champagne Stakes
14:05 Chester – Stand Cup
14:25 Doncaster – Portland Handicap
14:40 Chester – 1m2f Handicap
15:00 Doncaster – Park Stakes
15:35 Doncaster – St Leger
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
