mid-division, effort over 4f out, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 4th, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken, beaten when slightly checked entering final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon not clear run and hanging badly left, no extra well inside final furlong
led early, tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept battling away until held close home
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, strongly pressed until in command close home
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon pressing leaders strongly, edged left and unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up in last, headway when hampered 2f out, staying on well but no impression on leaders when hampered inside final furlong
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakening when hampered well over 1f out, eased, tailed off
There may only be the eight runners for the final classic of the season the St Leger but it is a competitive looking renewal with most of the octet having claims but for the selection we side with Saeed Bin Suroor's KITE WOOD, who is taken to get the better of stable companion Mastery and Changingoftheguard, who look the main dangers. The selection was well held behind Sea The Stars in the Derby but the son fo Galileo has shown progressive form since then with decent wins in Group 3 races at Newmarket and Newbury over 1m5f in his last two starts. The slightly longer trip today should benefit Godolphin's colt and he can complete a hat-trick. Henry Cecil has a great record in the Leger and his representative this year, Father Time, has to be considered on the evidence of his win in the King Edward VII but he did disappoint in the Great Voltigeur behind Monitor Closely and Mastery subsequently. With Age Of Aquarius now an absentee, Aidan O'Brien relies on the progressive Ebor runner up Changingoftheguard, with Von Jawlensky looking the clear second best of his two runners. The John Oxx-trained Mourayan has shown a decent level of form and, judged by his creditable third behind Sea The Stars in the Irish Derby, he has to be respected but it is Kite Wood that is preferred and taken to land the St Leger.
Above Average (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Soon in touch, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 12l behind Monitor Closely (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Changingoftheguard (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Reared start, held up towards rear, not clear run on inside over 3f out, headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 19, hd behind Sesenta (8-8) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Father Time 7-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Monitor Closely (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Kite Wood (IRE) 11-10fav (8-8) Raced wide early, made all, ridden 2 lengths clear over 1f out, edged right and ran on final furlong, won at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug beating Halicarnassus (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mastery 12-1 (9-1) Soon tracking leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon hard ridden and rallied, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Monitor Closely (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Monitor Closely (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Made all, hard driven over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug beating Mastery (9-1) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mourayan (IRE) 11-8fav (8-12) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, headed last 150 yards and no extra, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Profound Beauty (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 4f Grp 3 gd in Aug.
Von Jawlensky (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Chased leader in 2nd, pushed along 4f out, kept on under pressure, no extra over 1f out, weakened, last of 6, 5l behind Profound Beauty (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 6f Listed stks in Jul.
