Ladbrokes St Leger 2013

3.50 Doncaster

Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £340,260

Advice: 1 pt win Foundry (5/1 general), 1 pt win Gaileo Rock (6/1 general)

Cap O’Rushes: Has improved no end since being stepped upto 1m4f, taking fourth place in Irish Derby under enterprising ride, but then being lucky to pip Excess Knowledge in a muddling Gordon Stakes on good to soft at Goodwood next time; No impact in Great Voltiegur latest and while ground was blamed, it was fast in Ireland and others make far more appeal.

Excess Knowledge: Left to improve after promising juvenile career and come into his own since July, strong finishing third in Sandown Listed event before looking unlucky when second in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, where slow pace and rider dropping reins when making challenge didn’t help him; Can go forward again and should enjoy the step up in trip for trainer who’s won half of last six renewals, but does have improving to do to take this.

Foundry: Looked a serious horse when thrashing opposition at Leopardstown by five and a half lengths and confirmed that impression and some when second on first and only run since in Great Volitegur, making impressive late headway to be second behind Telescope at York that day; Sure to find improvement on fitness and experience count for that, while trip could improve him, and big chance here.

Gaileo Rock: Doubts over whether he would run because of ease in the ground but a seven length winner of soft ground Leopardstown maiden on debut and after fifth in strong Autumn Stakes, has gone from strength to strength since, third and second in successive derbies; Sure to enjoy this trip and will be as hard as any to pass, and probably the form leader.

Great Hall: Small step forward with every start, breaking maiden in 1m4f Newmarket event and improved when following up over 1m6f at Haydock, but this a different league altogether and no idea how he handled this ground.

Havana Beat: Unlucky when closing third in 1m5f Newmarket Group 3 in July but on first run on good to soft next time, didn’t beat home a single rival.

Leading Light: Nowhere on debut but improvement made to win 1m1f maiden on second start and unbeaten this year, although always prominent, setting a strong pace, and then finding plenty to win both 3yo conditions event and Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh before outstaying opposition to land Queen’s Vase at Ascot; All the durability you’d want from a Leger contender and stamina a great suit, but not sure he wants this drop in trip at all today.

Liberterian: Showed his returning fourth in Bet365 classic trial (carried and chance ended) to be all wrong when taking winner of Dante, and then biggest eyecatcher of them all when second in Derby, hating the track from start to finish; That the best form here, but on first and only run since, only eight in Irish Derby and no explanation come forth for that; If he bounces back for new and in form yard, then no reason why he can’t win, but huge question marks; Ground not exactly guaranteed to suit at this level either.

Ralston Road; Well short the two times that he’s tackled group company; Look elsehwhere.

Secret Number: Hasn’t quite lived upto the impression that he left in UAE when fast closing third, but not had things go his way here, especially when given no chance in Gordon Stakes thanks to being short of room in slowly run race that didn’t suit, but behind Foundry fair and square latest even if close up, and that one makes more appeal.

Talent: Lived up to her name when a clear winner of the Oaks from some way behind off strong pace, but freee pulling killed her chances when nowhere in Irish Oaks; Depending on how she settles under Jim Crowley, capable of taking big hand today.

VERDICT: A competitive Leger with nearly all of the best 3yos here, no mean feat given that Arc trials day is tomorrow. Excess Knowledge and Leading Light are two who are expected to play a big hand with improvement forthcoming but FOUNDRY may have the most to give after his Voltigeur second and can beat that pair, Libertarian, and Talent, with GAILEO ROCK best of the established horses.