By Tony Calvin - 8 September 2025
Click on the race link above to get the latest AKBets’ prices on the Classic.
With just 15 entries, and eight of those trained by Aidan O’Brien, the St Leger was already struggling for numbers – and the race took a further numbers-blow on Sunday when one of the leading players, Lazy Griff, was ruled out.
Owners Middleham Park racing tweeted on Sunday: “We’re very sorry to share that Lazy Griff will sadly miss the St Leger due to a small setback. Having already given his owners an incredible season, he’ll have the rest of the year off, and we look forward to seeing him back on the racecourse next season.”
Other horses taken out on Monday morning were Arabian Force and Tennessee Stud, while Aidan O’Brien didn’t confirm Galveston, Shackleton, Thrice and Minnie Hauk.
So we are down to eight.
I have just done the double entries for this race, so take a look.
It currently reads:
“3.40pm Doncaster: Carmers (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday – until tomorrow maybe), Lambourn (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday – until tomorrow maybe), Saratoga (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday and a !m4f race at Leopardstown – until tomorrow maybe), Scandinavia (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday – until tomorrow maybe), Stay True (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday and a !m4f race at Leopardstown– until tomorrow maybe)”
The situation may become a bit clearer once Ireland’s weekend confirmations are made on Tuesday.
Of the Group 2 early-closers on the card, the Champagne Stakes is down to 10 (from 26) – see below that 8 of the 10 entries currently have alternative engagements this week): Saba Desert, Brussels, Cape Ashizuri, Cape Orator, Italy, Dorset, Pacific Avenue, Puerto Rico – and the Park Stakes 15 (from 29), but the other four races on the day have all attracted 18 and more entries.
It is no coincidence that the two Champagne Stakes entries without another options this week head that market, with Gewan at 3s and Oxafon at [7/2], though Godolphin’s National Stakes entry Saba Desert is up there with them at 3s, possibly because Billy Loughnane is already jocked up there (I think William Buick is in Canada this weekend).
Indeed, the above trio are the only ones jocked up at this stage.
With four days of ITV Racing Thursday to Sunday, I’ll leave it here ante-post wise and return with day-of-race columns from tomorrow (Tuesday) onwards.
The only downside of doing the double entries for punters is that odds-compilers read the column too….
GOING: Good, good to soft in places (good to soft, good in places on round course)
Going stick: 6.4, Wednesday, 7,15am
Rails: Fresh line on round, innermost line.
Stalls: Straight – Centre Round – Inner
Wednesday morning course update: 22.8mm rain last week. Wednesday – Overcast with showers through the day, potentially heavier later this evening. Thursday & Friday – brighter but potentially scattered showers in the afternoon. Saturday & Sunday – scattered showers through the day potentially heavier at times. Temps 18-20C Southerly winds
Weather: 7.2mm Wednesday (variable amounts on sites)
GOING: Good to soft, good in places
Going stick: 7.5, Wednesday 7.15am
Wednesday morning course update: 58mm rain Wed 27th Aug to Thurs 4th Sept. Dry since, apart from 1.5mm on Sun 7th Sept 5MM RAIN TUESDAY NIGHT. Latest estimates by forecaster: 2-3mm during Wednesday; 2-3mm during Thursday. Friday looking bright and breezy, with the chance of light showers in the afternoon, 1-2mm. Potential therefore for an estimated further 5-8mm over the next 3 days.
Stalls: 6F, 7F, 1M – Far side 1M2F – Inside
Weather: 2.7mm Wednesday; 7.7mm Thursday, 3mm Friday; 1mm Saturday
GOING: Good
Going stick: 7.1, Wednesday 7am
Wednesday morning course update: Dry over the last 24 hours. 8.2mm rain over the last 7 days. Showers possible this afternoon and in to tonight. The rest of the week looking predominantly dry and temperatures remaining around 19’C. Raceday looking dry and bright on the whole with a 15mph South Westerly breeze. Watering plans to be reviewed as the week progresses.
Rails: Rail will be on the innermost line. Distances as measured.
Stalls: 1m2f – Outside Remainder – Inside
Weather: Showers all week, nothing heavy at this stage
10 September 8.16am – Following 2mm of rain since entries, The Curragh remians good (Straight) & good, good to firm in places (Round). Possibility of 2-5mm (approx) today with further showers over coming days
10 September 8.16am – Following 6mm of rain, Leopardstown is now good, good to yielding in places. Unsettled forecast
1.15pm Doncaster: Witch Hunter, Divine Knight, El Matador, Father Of Jazz, Galeron, Hymnbook, Intrusively, Mr Chaplin, Oliver Snow, Principality, Treasure Time, Urban Sprawl, Watson’s Law, Wild Nature
1.50pm Doncaster (8 of 10 entries still have alternative engagements this week): Saba Desert, Brussels (due to run at Doncaster on Thursday), Cape Ashizuri, Cape Orator, Italy, Dorset, Pacific Avenue, Puerto Rico
2.05pm Chester: Grey Cuban, Ryka
2.25pm Doncaster: Aberama Gold, Blind Beggar, Duran, Emperor Spirit, Eternal Sunshine, Existent, Jer Batt, Kendall Roy, Reigning Profit, Shallow
2.40pm Chester: Good Show, It’s All About You (4th of 5 at Newton Abbot on Tuesday), Mordor, Ndaawi, Prydwen, Tashkhan, Tribal Star, Yashin
3pm Doncaster: Witch Hunter, Ides Of March
3.40pm Doncaster (IMPORTANT): Carmers (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday), Lambourn (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday), Scandinavia (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday), Stay True (still in Irish St Leger on Sunday and a !m4f race at Leopardstown)
2.20pm Newmarket – It is that hood stat again for Appleby… After flagging up Charlie…
NEEDLE MATCH AND WILLIAM HAGGAS IN FOCUS Having listened to William Haggas this week, I…
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