Tom Marquand will be looking to successfully team up with the O’Brien family once again and add a second Betfred St Leger (G1) to his CV after he was booked to ride ante-post favourite Scandinavia in the final Classic of this flat season.
Marquand won the race back in 2020 aboard Galileo Chrome for Joseph O’Brien, but will be representing Joseph’s father Aidan who has also booked last year’s winning rider Sean Levey to partner dual Derby hero Lambourn. The Ballydoyle trio is completed by Stay True who will be ridden by Derby winning jockey Mickael Barzalona.
The Paddy Twomey-trained Carmers lost little in defeat when beaten a length into second in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) last time out. Along with Lambourn the Royal Ascot winner is likely to ensure there is a strong pace on, and he is afforded maximum respect.
Each of the three English-trained challengers in this year’s contest are priced at double-figure odds. The shortest priced runner out of those is Furthur who represents Andrew Balding. The son of Waldgeist returns to his own age company after comfortably scoring against older horses at Group 3 level when last seen. He has work to do to reverse form with Scandinavia.
Park House Stables also run the Juddmonte-owned Tarriance who is improving and chasing a hat-trick. The Frankel colt battled well to land the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap by just a nose over this trip recently. The field is completed by Rahiebb who would likely have place claims at best.
Latest Betfred St Leger odds: Scandinavia 6/5f, Lambourn 3/1, Carmers 9/2, Stay True 8/1, Furthur 11/1, Tarriance 25/1, Rahiebb 33/1
In the precedin Betfred Park Stakes (G2), 11 runners will go to post headed by Group 1 winner Shadow Of Light. The Charlie Appleby runner was only beaten a ½-length when fourth in the Prix Jean Prat most recently. Ten Bob Tony made a winning seasonal return in July and goes very well fresh, while Marvelman and King’s Gamble have also been declared.
Earlier on the card, the Betfred Champagne Stakes (G2) has been won by the likes of Toronado and Too Darn Hot down the years and a field of five have been declared including unbeaten Tattersalls Acomb Stakes victor Gewan. He will face off against the bloodless Sandown Novice winner Oxagon in what promises to be a fascinating showdown.
Racing gets underway at 1:15pm, with the final race of the first day of the Betfred St Leger Festival set to go off at 4:50pm. The going is currently described as Good to Soft.
