I'd say Wings Of Desire looks a close match for the fav on paper. Highland Reel looks likely to be the only AOB horse but Sir Isaac Newton is the only other possible and they'll decide on Thursday morning.
its quite sad really that a race of this stature has DARTMOUTH as its new favourite. of course it could still generate quite a bit of publicity should the Queen win with her horse in the year of her 90th birthday! I disagree about the timing being wrong though. I always thought that the race was well positioned being about a month after Royal Ascot and a month before York. Yes it is the same week as Goodwood but the principal race, the Sussex Stakes is for milers where the King George is for the middle distance runners. Ideally the race should have the Derby winner up against the older horses, but as Irish horses now tend to win the Derby more often than not this appears to be the reason why they don't take part as much as in the past. I really feel this meeting could and should be a success, Royal Ascot has improved enormously in recent years, maybe the racecourse should now look at ways of increasing the profile of this meeting - hopefully ITV1 will cover this race next year and not ITV4
The King George and The Eclipse are traditionally the best two all-aged Group One races. This year's renewal- likewise The Eclipse- are by a long way the poorest quality ever assembled. Not worth a watch.
I agree which is why I wouldn't be surprised if Second Step wins at 33/1! Trained by Luca Cumani and ridden by Jamie Spencer (one reason for having little confidence if backing it!), won a Group 1 race in Germany last year (not that the form adds up to much!)
Dartmouth is an improving 4yo trained by MS and won the Hardwicke. Same route as Harbinger but I don;t see this horse coming here with anything like the same credentials as Harbinger. Harbinger came here having produce a G1 winning performance in the Hardwicke and, in my opinion (stated before the race I must add) came into the race with the best form in the race. Can't find a reason to say the same for Dartmouth. Highland Reel will really appreciate the fast ground and only a hd behind Dartmouth after being bumped That will be a battle in itself. Wings of Desire will certainly appreciate the ground having won in a good time on it at Deauville. Maybe has a few excuses for the disappointing run in the Derby (inexperience, going, track) and maybe much better than that run; but will have to improve from what he has achieved so far. Sir Isaac Newton may find the ground against him. Erupt was only 4l behind Golden Horn in the Arc, a performance that puts him in with a good chance in a sub standard renewal of this race. Hard race to call but if pushed I think I would have to go for Highland Reel. Not a race I would want to bet on.
As the race looks so poor on paper I just hope something can put in a performance worthy of the race's history
Short answer, I don't think so. Such high standards are difficult to maintain year after year. Bound to have a weak year now and again. The problem with the St. Leger ís that it is only a short time before the Arc, possibly cost Nijinsky an Arc triumph in 1970 when he lost the race to Sassafras by a head, or short head, think it was. Have to say he was not top fit for the Arc either, and lost two stone in weight after the Leger (bleeding problem as well). We'll never know. (Here's a mammoth article on Nijinsky with video clips, an evening's entertainment if anyone's interested - ): https://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/nijinsky-who-wore-a-heart-on-his-brow/
'Racing Forum' on At The Races was interesting yesterday. Any views on Highland Reel for the Breeders Cup turf (8/1); should get ground to suit and this certainly seems to be the end of season target. Seriously thinking about substantial wager!
