2023 St Leger festival tips: Saturday's best bets at Doncaster from Racing Post experts

It's St Leger day at Doncaster as the final British Classic of the season takes place – but who do our top tipsters fancy most?

Chipstead

By Tom Segal

Race: 2.25 Doncaster (Betfred Portland)

Odds: 12-1

Happy Romance and Annaf have plenty of class, while Makanah and Tees Spirit bounced back to form last time, but last year Chipstead was really unfortunate to be disqualified after winning the race and he might be able to gain compensation.

He strongly suggested he was on the way back to his best at Ascot last time, especially as that track does not suit him, and the Roger Teal team are in sparkling form.

Chipstead14:25 Doncaster

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Jky: Frederick Larson (3lb)Tnr: Roger Teal

Spycatcher

By Kevin Morley

Race: 3.00 Doncaster (Betfred Park Stakes)

Odds: 6-4

Jumby would have been interesting here at a decent price on fast ground as he fares well on trends. However, with the ground set to have some give in it, this looks best left to Spycatcher, who also meets all criteria and will appreciate conditions. 

Spycatcher15:00 Doncaster

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Jky: Clifford Lee Tnr: K R Burke

Desert Hero

By Matt Rennie

Race: 3.35 Doncaster (Betfred St Leger Stakes)

Odds: 5-1

Desert Hero looks the perfect candidate to land the St Leger and should thrive on his first try in Group 1 company. Having been beaten in the London Gold Cup on his return in May, he has scored twice since, including in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot before a neck victory in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. That form has been franked since with the reopposing Chesspiece landing the Glasgow Stakes.

William Haggas's three-year-old is closely related to the top-class Dartmouth, who was a winner over 1m6f, so this trip should be no issue and there is still no end to his improvement.

Desert Hero15:35 Doncaster

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Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: William Haggas

Sonny Liston

By Paul Kealy

Race: 5.20 Doncaster (Hippo Pro 3 Sealant Handicap)

Odds: 9-2

Sonny Liston still hasn't managed to add to his five-and-a-half-length Sandown win on his debut as a juvenile for Charlie Hills, but for Ralph Beckett this season he has finished second in the Royal Hunt Cup (won his side), fifth in the Golden Mile and fourth last time in the Clipper Handicap at York.

Ryan Moore was noted afterwards asking Beckett for another go on him, and he has his wish here on a horse who's not remotely dependent on ground conditions and surely still has a decent prize in him.

Sonny Liston17:20 Doncaster

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Jky: Ryan Moore Tnr: Ralph Beckett

Read these next:

The Punt Acca: Matt Rennie's three horse racing tips from St Leger day at Doncaster on Saturday 

Saturday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiples 

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