2022 St Leger Ante-Post Preview and Betting Tip – DS
2022 St Leger Ante-Post Tip
We have unfinished business in this race. Last year I really fancied Scope to run big at 50s. Rob Hornby didn’t enjoy his finest hour, unfortunately, and he was beat 8L into 6th. He then went on to win a Listed and a French G1 so at least he proved he was a G1 animal. Hopefully this year’s selection is given a better ride, check out Dave Stevos’ 2022 St Leger ante-post tip below.
2022 St Leger
The weather forecast for this week is for rain. Not just a drop of rain, but a deluge. If the forecast verifies, the ground should be very soft. That could scupper the chances of a few of the thirteen remaining horses. The favourite, New London, bombed out on his last soft ground start and his last three wins have come on good or quicker. Yes, he did land a 10f maiden on soft but he is probably 10lbs better on quick ground.
Another son of Dubawi, Eldar Eldarov, is next best in the betting. He beat Zechariah by a nose at Ascot on quick ground before coming up well short over 12f on easier ground in France. The step back up in trip should suit him here but will it suit on soft or heavy ground? Maybe it will, but at the prices I’d rather be on one with proven soft ground credentials.
Go French
Paddy Twomey is an upwardly mobile trainer and it is only a matter of time before he starts landing classics. He has a colt by French Fifteen in here and connections will be doing handstands after seeing the weather forecast. This horse is at his best on properly soft ground, just as it was when he absolutely dotted up at Cork in a 10f heat back in April.
His two runs since have come on good ground and he finished 3rd on both occasions. In a G3 at Leopardstown (10f gd) he was beat 5.75L by Stone Age. Last time he ran in the Irish Derby (12f gd) where he kept on very bravely for 3rd behind the dominant Westover after making the running. Overall, his form figures with good in the ground description read 433. With no good in the description he has form figures of 11.
After he ran 3rd at the Curragh, Paddy Twomey said “I think he’ll appreciate going further. He’s tough, honest and would like a bit more juice in the ground. On softer ground in the autumn, he could be a horse to be reckoned with.” I can’t disagree with that and with the weather forecast as it is, French Claim has to be worth backing e/w at odds of 16/1.
