There is an obviously one-sided look to the final classic of the season, Doncaster’s St Leger, with Idaho bringing a solid and strong profile into the race following a win in the Great Voltigeur at York.
Prior to that he had placed in both the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent at the Curragh behind Harzand, and though it is a shame that connections of his old rival are preferring the Arc route as opposed to the St Leger, Idaho is a worthy representative of the Derby form, is 6 lb clear of the field on Timeform ratings, and probably deserves to be a short-priced favourite given his opposition.
The obvious question mark about Idaho, and it is a significant one, is the trip, which is nearly three furlongs further than he has faced to date. His full-brother Highland Reel, who won the King George earlier this season, has yet to race beyond a mile and a half either, so while there is nothing concrete to say that Idaho won’t stay the trip extended mile-and-three-quarter trip, he is out of a miler and could be worth taking on at the prices, especially as a number of those in behind him are likely to improve for the trip on run style and pedigree.
One of these is Muntahaa, a rangy sort who put himself in the picture for this race when winning a handicap at Chester off a BHA mark of 108 in August. The bare form is not far off what he will need to show to get involved here, especially considering he’ll probably improve for the trip, but the St Leger will provide an altogether different test than what was required to land a Chester handicap from the front. It is unlikely that current odds of around 5/1 underestimate his chance.
Red Verdon was behind Idaho in both Derbies but did produce his best effort to date with a fast-finishing second in the Grand Prix de Paris last time. He should also stay the trip, and with a gradually progressive profile this season despite being set some tough tasks he is an interesting runner. His trainer Ed Dunlop revealed that he has had some issues during his preparation, however, and with question marks surrounding his wellbeing he doesn’t make great appeal at current odds.
Prix de Reux winner Ventura Storm’s best form has come over a mile and a half but he isn’t sure to relish further, while Ormito was flattered by finishing a close second to Kings Fete in a tactical Geoffrey Freer Stakes last time, and the biggest dangers to the top two in the market appear to mostly be trained by Aidan O’Brien.Housesofparliament was seen to good effect from the front in the Great Voltigeur behind Idaho last time, and though there is no obvious reason to see him reversing that form providing Idaho sees out the longer trip at Doncaster, his full-brother Foundry ran a creditable fifth in the race in 2015 and Housesofparliament is certainly likely to be suited by the further step up trip.
O’Brien may also run Sword Fighter, who won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot (beating Harbour Law into second) and briefly looked the winner in the Goodwood Cup behind Big Orange before fading into a creditable fifth. Less established and therefore open to more improvement are Triplicate and Unicorn. Triplicate was still learning last time at Killarney and will go on improving, though this is just his fourth start and it could easily come too soon. Unicorn showed much improved form when upped to a mile and three quarters (from a mile) in the Melrose last month, something that makes plenty of sense based on his pedigree given that he is a full-brother to Bondi Beach, who was of course second (after much deliberation) in the St Leger last season.Overall, at the current odds this doesn’t look a race to get heavily involved in, but with some doubts surrounding two of the top four in the market (trip for Idaho and wellbeing with Red Verdon) and considering Muntahaa’s price, a small each-way bet on Housesofparliament could be the play. Housesofparliament was behind Muntahaa in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot, not impressing with his response to pressure that day, but he is seemingly maturing with racing and could have more to offer yet especially now tackling further.
St Leger Recommendation:Back HousesofParliament each-way at 9/1
