Punters puzzled in St Leger as four jostle for favouritism at Doncaster

Punters are struggling to work out their Pertemps St Leger Stakes (3.35) selections with four horses jostling for favouritism for Saturday's Classic.

Hukum nosed ahead as 100-30 favourite early this morning but is back out to 7-2 and is joined at the top of the market by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Irish Derby winner Santiago.

Pyledriver has drifted out to 4-1, despite being as short as 3-1 last night, while Galileo Chrome is unchanged at the same price.

Mark Johnston trained Sir Ron Priestley to finish second in the St Leger last year and his half-brother Subjectivist is the big mover, being cut from 20-1 to 12-1.

Conditions were changed from good to good, good to firm in places ahead of the seven-race card which starts at 1.15. Another dry and warm day is forecast for the Yorkshire track.

Doncaster's clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said on Saturday morning: "The ground is now good, good to firm in places on the straight course.

"We had a dry night and it is due to be a dry day but it's stiller than yesterday and I don't think there will be a great movement in the ground."

Jim Crowley has had an incredible season and he will hoping Hukum can give him a first Classic winCredit: Edward Whitaker

There has been strong support for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Wichita in the preceding bet365 Park Stakes (3.00). Frankie Dettori's mount has been cut to an 11-4 favourite with overnight market leader Limato drifting to 4-1 for the Group 2 event.

Meanwhile, the going is good ahead of an action-packed card at Leopardstown for day one of Irish Champions Weekend.

Ghaiyyath is unchanged as a 4-7 favourite for the feature Irish Champion Stakes (4.10), with the Godolphin runner seeking a fourth consecutive Group 1 victory this year.

The interesting market mover at Leopardstown is Van Gogh in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (3.40). The son of American Pharoah is the only runner from the Aidan O'Brien team who have won this race eight times in the last ten years.

Saturday's key meetings

Doncaster (first race: 1.15)
Going: good, good to firm in places

Non-runners
2.25: 4 Ornate
3.35: 3 English King
4.05: 2 Dingle

Leopardstown (first race: 2.00)
Going: good, good to firm in places

Non-runners
2.35: 21 No Say Ever
3.40: 1 Blue For You
5.50: 14 Miss Myers

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