St Leger HIGHWAYMAN 14/1

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I’m siding with HIGHWAYMAN at 14/1, because I think there is considerably more to come from this colt. Joseph O’Brien has seemingly unlocked him by stretching his stamina, and his victory over 1m6f in the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown is the piece of form that really catches my eye. He stayed on strongly there on Good to Yielding ground, so Saturday’s Good to Soft conditions could play right into his hands. And there’s another angle I like: Saffie Osborne is initially booked to ride him. What a story it would be if she could land a Classic on an improving 14/1 chance. This is the St Leger: when they turn for home after almost a mile and three-quarters, I want a horse I know can keep galloping. Highwayman has already shown me he can.


CHRISTMAS DAY at 7/4 is the one I fear most. You cannot ignore a Derby winner, particularly one who won at Epsom on Soft ground and then finished second in the Irish Derby. He brings the strongest established Classic form into the race and Good to Soft certainly shouldn't inconvenience him. But at 7/4, I’m prepared to take him on over this longer trip. HATTEEN at 14/1 interests me much more as an each-way play. He has already won at Doncaster, drawing clear nicely in the St Leger Trial Novice Stakes, and there’s an extra subplot with Andrew Balding trying to close the gap in the trainers’ championship.

Then there is GOLDEN STORY at 66/1 — I’m never frightened by a big price when I can see a reason for it being wrong. Karl Burke’s colt won the Cocked Hat at Goodwood before finishing fourth in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot. The obvious question is whether he stays this far, particularly on Good to Soft, and I’m not pretending we know the answer. But 66/1 gives me plenty of compensation for finding out. If the longer trip unlocks further improvement, I wouldn't be remotely surprised to see Golden Story outrun those enormous odds.

The verdict
I keep coming back to HIGHWAYMAN at 14/1. Christmas Day has the Classic form, Hatteen has the Doncaster credentials and Golden Story is my big-priced swing, but Highwayman has what I particularly want for this race: recent winning form over 1m6f with some ease in the ground. He is improving, he stays and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. Throw in Saffie Osborne’s initial booking, with the possibility of a huge Classic moment for her, and there is a story here as well as a bet. If Good to Soft turns that final furlong into a battle of stamina, I want Highwayman on my side. I’m taking the 14/1, Cubs. Highwayman is my St Leger pick.

Good Luck!