Irish St Leger 2012

6.05 Curragh

Gain Horse Feeds Irish St. Leger (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €116,000

Advice: 1 pt win Fame And Glory (11/4 general), 1 pt win Aiken (5/1 general)

Aiken: One of the most progressive horses seen this season and completed six-timer when beating Dunaden in tactical Group 2 at Chantilly on penultimate start; Fourth in Hardwicke is strong form in terms of this race, trainer has exceptional record here (last 4 Group 1 runners have won in Ireland) and must be given big chance.

Brown Panther: Really really smart colt last term when he went from wide margin handicap winner towards Leger second at backend of last season; Taken his time to find his best this season but done so with aplomb of late and this looks to give him a good opportunity for a breakthrough Group 1 win if at his best.

Fame And Glory: Five time Group 1 winner who was a major flop in Ascot Gold Cup after his ususal warm up win at Navan, where little could be found to explain poor showing barring the slow pace; Flopped in this after winning Ascot Gold Cup last season and that has to be a worry, but this a weaker renewal and goodish ground should help his cause plenty.

Royal Diamond: Underlined how much improvement he’d made for the switch to Tommy Carmody when second in the Ebor to Willing Foe (got 5lbs from sixth placed Steps Of Freedom), highlighting a 24lbs improvement since joining new yard; This demands yet more and others preferred.

Simenon: Looked to have a serious future in cup races when landing the Ascot Stakes and the Queen Alexandra Stakes in a week at Royal Ascot; Empathic nature of both wins suggests that he should have done better than he did in cup races at Goodwood and York; Drop in trip not likely to suit.

Steps To Freedom: Versatile enough, having won a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle last season and third of six behind Fame and Glory in May; Needs far more than sixth in the Ebor to figure here.

Shu Lewis: Might win maiden on basis of her two flat thirds but this flying far too high here.

Hartani: Different horse since his debut in April, progressing into a 5 length Group 3 winner who was extremely impressive in Curragh Cup; Turned over at long odds on when beaten by Ursa Major in trial for this in conditions that should have suited him, so something has to be taken on trust for this up in class, but still deserves respect.

Massiyn: Raced just the one at two, landed Roscommon maiden and then handicap off 88 here over 1m2f; Coped well with step up in trip towards 1m4f

VERDICT: FAME AND GLORY has his on and off days and can sometimes have a mind of his own, but if he’s at his best then he can beat Brown Panther and Hartani; He certainly wouldn’t be 11-4 if this was last year, where he flopped in a much stronger renewal. It’s surprising to see AIKEN as big as 5/1 given that John Gosden’s last 4 Group 1 runners here have all won, and he appeals as the most likely saver by some way.