The final British Classic of the new season is finally upon us, as the St Leger takes place on Saturday, 10th September. It will give us a final look at this year’s three-year-olds before they step up into open-age racing ahead of British Champions Day.
It’s unlikely any runners from the Epsom Derby or 2000 Guineas will be involved in the race this year, which makes for a wide-open affair. So, who are the leading contenders to land St Leger glory at Doncaster in September according to the horse racing predictions by TwinSpires.com?
New London
There was Godolphin success in the race 12 months ago, as Hurricane Lane produced his best career effort to land the St Leger for Charlie Appleby. History could be about to repeat itself in 2022, as New London is the clear favourite at the top of the betting. We first saw the three-year-old at Newmarket in April, as he won commandingly from Aldous Huxley.
The step-up in distance may have come slightly too soon at Chester in May, as he finished over six lengths behind Changingoftheguard. However, he returned to a mile and two furlongs at Newmarket in July with a strong effort, as he beat Swilcon Bridge by three lengths in the Bet365 Handicap.
His latest effort highlighted him as the clear St Leger contender, as he finally landed a victory over a mile and four furlongs at Goodwood, as he came out on top of Deauville Legend in the G3 Gordon Stakes.
Eldar Eldarov
The joint-second highest rated horse in the field at present is Eldar Eldarov for trainer Roger Varian. The three-year-old won all three of his first starts, which included a success at Royal Ascot over the St Leger distance in the G2 Queen’s Vase.
That could yet be the key piece of form coming into the race, as few contenders have run, never mind won, over the distance of the final Classic. However, his chances were knocked slightly at Longchamp in July, as he was fourth of five in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris. However, a return to a mile and six looks perfect for this three-year-old, as David Egan looks for a first win in the race.
Secret State
The second of the Godolphin runners in the St Leger this year looks set to be Secret State. For a long time, this runner looked to be their leading chance, as he looked at home over one mile and four furlongs, and appeared to be crying out for more. He was a good winner at Royal Ascot in June, as he beat Deauville Legend by a head before that was following up with success over the longer distance once again at Goodwood in July.
However, the form with Deauville Legend reversed itself at the recent York Festival, as the Godolphin runner finish over two lengths behind the three-year-old over a mile and four. However, many still believe that Secret State wants longer, which means that the one mile and six furlongs in the St Leger could be perfect.
Hoo Ya Mal
Another horse among the favourites for the St Leger at this point is the Epsom Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal. It seems a long time ago now that this runner was sent off at 150/1 for the Derby, but he finished very strongly to finish second by two lengths. However, the George Boughey-trained horse has won just once under rules, with that success coming at York in 2021.
He was heavily expected to get a first big win at Goodwood in July, but he finished third, behind New London, in the G3 Gordon Stakes. It is also worth remembering that the plan with Hoo Ya Mal is to head towards the Melbourne Cup, which means it’s still unknown whether he will line-up for the St Leger.
