St Leger favourites have far tougher task than betting suggests

Holmeswood
1.50 Doncaster
2pts winOh This Is Us
2.25 Doncaster
1pt winMountain Bell
2.40 Chester
1pt each-wayLoxley
3.35 Doncaster
1pt each-waySharjah
3.50 Leopardstown
1pt winTHE William Hill St Leger (3.35) at Doncaster suddenly became a much deeper contest when news filtered through that Lah Ti Dar and would be lining up, but while the market has reacted strongly in the case of John Gosden’s filly, barely a ripple was caused by Loxley’s declaration on Thursday.

That surprised me as I was as keen on him as any horse earlier in the week but assumed the Prix Niel at Longchamp was still the plan.

As a result I backed Old Persian instead at what is now a bad price and I’m sorely tempted to go in again at 8-1, but Loxley is pretty much the price he was before confirmation and that’s too big.