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Racing Final Classic of the season belongs to Pentagon

IT’S the final Classic of the season, the St Leger at Doncaster (3.35) and the filly Lah Ti Dar, who runs here in preference to France tomorrow looks sure to start a short-priced favourite.

However, this extended mile-and-three-quarters event has thrown up some massive surprises in the past few years and there could well be another lurking here in the form of Pentagon (nap).

This is going to turn into a real stamina test what with the recent rain taking any sting out of the ground alongside at least five of the field that like to race prominently.

I suspect Aidan O’Brien will make Nelson make the running as all his other individuals in his team stay especially well. 

His Kew Gardens has obvious claims on all his form this season and Southern France is a certain stayer, but I would be worried that this test may come a wee bit early for him being a gross and unfurnished three-year-old.

But Pentagon finished third in the Derrinstown, unplaced in the Derby, a strong staying fifth in the Irish Derby and then a staying on fifth in the Great Voltigeur.

Like several of these, the son of Galileo has been crying out for a real test of stamina and the recent rain, along with the extra distance, could be right up his street and could cause a real upset here at around the 33/1 marker.

The big handicap of the day is the Portland at 1.50, a real cavalry charge over five and a half furlongs.

With good ground guaranteed, I think that Holmeswood is the right favourite and following a slightly unlucky run at York last time out, he should gain compensation here probably at the main expense of the likes of Orvar and Wentworth Falls.

It is Champions Day at Leopardstown and the big race at 6.35 can go to the French Derby winner Study of Man.

He was a very classy winner of that Chantilly classic and he ran as if he needed the run at Deauville last time out last month and he returns back to his optimum trip here.

The biggest danger could come from Saxon Warrior who could be suited to running this way around and can reverse recent form with his old ally Roaring Lion.

The last named showed a brilliant turn of foot to win the International Stakes at York, a track he seems to handle particularly well, and won the Dante Stakes there as well. I also have a suspicion that Verbal Dexterity will outrun his odds over this course and distance on decent ground.

On the same card, I take Happily to cause a shock and turn over the superstar filly that is Alpha Centauri in the Matron Stakes at 5.25, while I fancy a huge run from Sharjah (nb) in the big Premier Handicap at 3.50.

At Chester there are some really competitive handicaps and the pick of those could be She Can Boogie in the nursery at 3.15.

The selection eased home over the course and distance last time out and there is a lot more to come from this lightly raced filly especially off her light weight.

Later on, the finale, an extended mile-and-a-quarter handicap at 5.05, I fancy a huge run from Cornborough who will adore the give in the going. He may not be the best handicapped horse in the race, but will be staying on when others have cried enough off a fast pace down the home stretch.

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