Doncaster St Leger betting tips: Desert Hero can spoil Frankie Dettori’s Classic farewell

15:35  Betfred St Leger Stakes (1 mile 6½ furlongs)

It’s hard to believe that the St Leger was born almost a quarter of a millennium ago in 1776, since when many famous horses and jockeys have come and gone, culminating in David Egan riding Eldar Eldarov home for Roger Varian a year ago.

As a 9/2 shot, he was the eighth winner in the last 10 years to be priced lower than 5/1, with only Harbour Law in 2016 landing at a double digit price (22/1).

The early market leader this year is Continuous, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, who teamed up to lift back-to-back St Leger crowns in 2017 and 2018 with Capri and Kew Gardens.

A winning favourite would please many bettors, of course, but arguably an even more popular winner would be Arrest, who is well fancied to give soon-to-retire Frankie Dettori a fairytale send-off in what will be the final Classic of his long and illustrious career.

Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Arrest finishes 1st or 2nd, get a £5 Free Bet!

However, it is the William Haggas-trained Desert Hero who has got our nod to cause something of an upset, just as he has done when we have recommended him twice before over the last couple of months.

After winning two of his three juvenile races last year, he truly blossomed at Royal Ascot, where he beat Valiant King by a head to land the King George V Handicap, with another 17 top-quality horses strung out behind.

He showed even more of his mettle, as well his versatility on different conditions, when today’s jockey Tom Marquand had to manoeuvre him out of trouble to edge another narrow success on soft ground at Goodwood 44 days ago. 

Suggested bet: Desert Hero to win the 15:35 at Doncaster

• Tip advised by Professor Plums Plums on Tipstrr

Of course, there are no donkeys in any Classic race, which means any of the nine runners will be fancying their chances, with the likes of Chesspiece, Tower of London and Middle Earth all holding legitimate claims of at least a frame finish.

However, the word on Tipstrr street is that rank outsider Denmark could punch above his weight here and at least be in the mix at a juicy price.

Any horse from Aidan O’Brien’s yard is worthy of consideration, even if apparently his third-string runner here, and this lively colt won on career debut last year before looking quietly progressive in three outings so far this term.

He was the beaten favourite on firm ground at Haydock just last weekend, and the quick turnaround offers hope for each-way specialists who think he might enjoy the extra cut in the ground here with the capable Danny Tudhope to steer him home.

Each-way-punt: Denmark each-way in the 15:35 at Doncaster

• Tip advised by The Outsiders on Tipstrr

 

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