Until USAR has been officially withdrawn from this race I'll continue to have a premonition he could turn up here to gate crash Idaho's party - this could be his only chance to 'steal' a Gp1 for his cv. If so, there will be cries of 'foul-play' from Idaho backers, I'd strongly imagine.

USAR is officially out leaving Idaho for a clear run to the top prize, hopefully.

Exceptionally good money for something equivalent to a Group 3 slog. Won't take a lot of winning this year. What's happened to Leger winners of last 10 years? None of them you could call absolutely top class could you? Hopefully Idaho will chnage all that. Anything ran in the Leger subsequently gone hurdling?

Idaho ran an excellent race to win going away in the Voltigeur post a long break after two arduous derbies against Harzand. I think (hope) the withdrawals of USAR and Across The Stars have made the task of Idaho winning significantly easier; Unless Muntahaa or Sword Fighter runs well beyond the forms they have shown so far - Idaho has beaten the majority of the principal runners here - I believe this year's Leger is Idaho's to win, and it can only be just reward, if I may say so. I also hope he stays in training next year.

unclepuncle

On the other hand I'm sweet on Idaho with antepost and trebles/acca big time at 6/1. I hope he wins as he deserves it, and is the best rated horse by a long way.

Wouldn't rule out Idaho going St Leger then arc, just like Kingston Hill.

Kingston Hill finished 2nd in the 2014 Epsom Derby with Romsdal 3rd; in the St Leger (14f) the former was victorious and the latter 2nd reaffirming their Epsom Derby positions.

Idaho was 3rd and 2nd respectively in this year's Epsom and Irish Derby behind Harzand and USAR who are non-runners here with Wing Of Desire, one of the potential St Leger runners, 5 lengths behind Idaho. I understand there had been several Derby/progeny of Galileo runners not upholding their forms over this extra 2f race but Idaho had proven in the Voltigeur (12f) he'd be held up, quicken and outstay his field with the exception of Muntahaa and Sword Fighter who'd run over 14f and 16f respectively.

I think one must not confuse value with merit: on merit, Idaho is the rightful 'fav' with the best chance of winning unless Idaho does not see out 14f; Muntahaa and Sword Fighter need to improve significantly to win this - the rest probably running for place money, I'd envisage.

Unless USAR is supplemented - is that allowed? - after having been withdrawn from this race at the forfeit stage tomorrow I'm finding it difficult to find an alternative to Idaho who has been prepared for this race since the Irish Derby at the end of June. He is no world beater on present form but I think he's improved since the Epsom Derby if using Harzand and the Irish Derby as a guide. He might even get his preferred ground of good or good to soft - the current official going - come race day.

Impossible - i think it's allowed. Remember Wings of desire was taken out of derby entries, then supped for 75k.

Idaho is 1.87 here.  If I had a bet on him I'd be laying off and taking the win now.
He has the form, but that form has to be produced on the day, and over a longer distance.

Housesofparliament @ 10 for me - Colm O'Donoghue to win the race and keep it this time.

I've no bet in the race and kinda feel like I'd have to manufacture a case to oppose the favourite so I may leave it now.

Sword Fighter is the one that appeals though - ground would have been plenty quick for him at Goodwood and the form of that race has just been franked in the Doncaster Cup by Sheikhzayedroad (where was my favourite horse in training Pallasator?).

It's more the impression of his battling win in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on testing ground which appeals to me - on that basis you'd have to also give a squeak to Harbour Law who was just behind him there (would be a great story if he won for such a small stable).They did n't go any great gallop in that race though although Sword Fighter did produce a decent time performance when he beat Landofhopeandglory in a Group 2 at the Curragh later in the month.

But Ballydoyle have had all season to get their 3yo pecking order sorted out since then.

Idaho being backed if defeat is out of the question. People prepared to take pretty much any price about the horse now.

Backed Idaho win. Tried to find an alternative but couldn`t.

been gagging to get idaho have taken him on with the sword fighter

i have to say that was a cracking ride from baker...wd winners

well if they ran usar like i told em to they wouyld be winners now as would i !

Winner did not look at all keen on going past horses but the jockey got him there -  won a shade cosily

A bad day for short price favourites eg Idaho and Qemah - both unlucky in running - that is racing. But, thank goodness Awtaad to the rescue, otherwise a whitewash.