St Leger tips: Idaho can continue Aidan O’Brien’s summer of success in Doncaster

Class act: Idaho wins at York last month
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Andy Stephens9 September 2016

All-conquering Aidan O’Brien can continue his domination of this year’s Flat season by landing the Ladbrokes St Leger (3.45) at Doncaster tomorrow.

There is still more than a month of the campaign left but O’Brien is already assured the trainers’ title, having accumulated a record £5.7million in prize money. That is £1m more than his closest rivals Richard Hannon and John Gosden have managed between them.

The strength in depth at Ballydoyle is reflected by the fact that O’Brien has three of the first four in the betting for the final Classic of the year, with favourite Idaho looking on a different level to his rivals.

His third in the Derby and second in the Irish equivalent set him apart and he showed those efforts had not left a mark when pouncing from off the pace to land the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month.

Tomorrow’s Doncaster tips

2.00 Thunder Snow

2.35 Captain Colby (nap)

3.10 Richard Pankhurst

3.45 Idaho

4.20 Khalidi

4.50 Up In Lights

5.25 Kiltara

6.00 Stars Over The Sea

The Galileo colt has not been stopping at the end of his races, so tomorrow’s extended 14 furlongs should be within his compass. He’s not a sexy price — some layers will probably offer evens in the morning — but is by far the most likely winner.

O’Brien has other aces up his sleeve in Housesofparliament and Sword Fighter but, with rain forecast, the each-way alternative is Harbour Law, who is trained in Epsom by Laura Mongan.

Harbour Law is a thorough stayer and his form ties in with the principal players. Freshened up for the biggest day of his career — and that of his 36-year-old trainer — he could outrun his odds of 25-1.

The big betting race on the card is the Ladbrokes Portland (2.35), in which Captain Colby is a strong fancy. He ran well from an unfavourable draw when third in a similarly competitive dash at York last time.

Thunder Snow has solid prospects in the At The Races Champagne Stakes (2.00), while Richard Pankhurst won well at Newbury last time and can follow up in the Saint Gobain Weber Park Stakes (3.10).

In the evening, don’t miss a fantastic renewal of the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes (6.45) at Leopardstown.

It features nine Group One winners, including Harzand, the Derby winner, and Minding, the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks heroine.

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