Weekend racing preview – Subjectivist bids to cement St Leger credentials

The news that everyone wanted to hear broke earlier this week and crowds will be allowed to attend all four days of the Pertemps St Leger Festival which runs from September 9-12 at Doncaster Racecourse.
By mybettingsites.co.uk
Published 28th Aug 2020, 14:05 BST
Pyledriver has been backed into second favourite for the St Leger. Photo by Edward Whitaker/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesPyledriver has been backed into second favourite for the St Leger. Photo by Edward Whitaker/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Pyledriver has been backed into second favourite for the St Leger. Photo by Edward Whitaker/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The final British Classic of the season, the Pertemps St Leger, is the highlight of the meeting and Subjectivist (13/8) looks to try and cement his place in the field for the Group One event with victory at Goodwood on Saturday.

He is one of four runners in the £45,000 Group Three March Stakes (3.00pm) which is staged over the St Leger distance over 14 furlongs. Mark Johnston’s charge was an excellent third in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in July, before finishing seventh in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes, a recognised St Leger trial last time out.

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He takes on talented filly Cabaletta (5/4) who heads the market for Roger Varian. Successful in Listed company at Newmarket, she chased home the classy Enbihaar in the Lillie Langtry at Glorious Goodwood and will be suited by testing ground conditions.

The quartet are completed by Celtic Art (9/2) who boasts winning form at Goodwood and looked in need of the run in a handicap event last time out and Table Mountain (7/1) who was a smooth winner over a longer trip at Ascot last time out.

The feature race of the weekend is the £60,000 Group Two Celebration Mile Stakes. The field is headed by Godolphin’s Benbatl (2/1) who makes his return to action for Saeed bin Suroor. The six-year-old was a fine third on the dirt in the Saudi Cup in February and targets a 10th win at Group level.

He takes on Regal Reality (11/4) who boasts winning course and distance form and bounced back to form with a smart win at Salisbury last time out. Duke Of Hazzard (11/2) is another to consider given his excellent record at the track, which includes three victories from four runs on the Sussex Downs.

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Century Dream (11/2) captured a Group Three event on his first start of the season, Sir Busker (8/1) takes a step into Group company after some fine runs in handicap company, whilst Listed winner Urban Icon (9/1) represents Richard Hannon. Last year’s Solario Stakes winner Positive (11/1) completes the seven runners.

Sunday’s action at Navan in Ireland also needs close attention with potential St Leger hopefuls Gold Maze & Galileo Chrome in action in the Listed Yeats Stakes (5.05pm).

Our weekend NAP also runs on Sunday at Navan in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes (2.50pm). Make A Challenge produced a sensational performance to score at the Curragh seven days ago and should prove tough to beat.

The Pertemps St Leger is now just two weeks away and William Muir’s Pyledriver bounded into contention for the final British Classic of the season at York last week with an emphatic win in the Great Voltigeur at York. He is now the general 7/2 second-favourite behind 5/2 market leader Santiago for Aidan O’Brien, who captured the Irish Derby earlier this season.

Weekend NAP: 2:50: Navan: Make A Challenge

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St Leger Betting: 5/2 Santiago; 7/2 Pyledriver; 5/1 Hukum; 10/1 English King & Serpentine; 11/1 Tiger Moth; 14/1 Military March; 16/1 Al Aasy, Delphi & Dawn Patrol; 20/1 Bar

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Related topics:MARK JOHNSTONDoncaster Racecourse