tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, no impression over 1f out
held up behind, effort when not much room over 2f out, kept on and edged left final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong and edged left
held up in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, not much room well over 1f out and again when staying on inside final furlong
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon jinked, kept on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, eased over 1f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
The St Ledger returns to it's Doncaster home and with Aiden O'Brien winning it in 2001, 2003, and 2005, it appears that it is his turn again and from his quartet, Mahler gets the vote ahead of more-fancied stablemate Honalulu and Regal Flush. The selection finished behind Lucarno in the Great Voltigeur Stakes but that was over what appears now to be an inadequate trip. Staying looks his forte and now stepped back up in trip, and with Mick Kinane allotted the riding honours, a big run can be expected. He acts on any ground but is best suited by these quick conditions and with Mick Kinane developing a good relationship with the horse, he gets our nomination. Lucarno steps up to this trip for the first time but is certainly a rival that must be feared; he has no penalty for his win at York and will be hoping to confirm those placings with Acapulco, Macarthur and the selection. Veracity continues to run well in defeat but might be outclassed once again, whilst Raincoat looks John Gosden's second string. Regal Flush has been supplemented for this race after his win at Haydock and his trainer is not someone who likes to waste connections money; a big run must be expected on ground that suits this slow-maturing sort. One of the most open renewals for years, and a market move for an O'Brien runner may provide some further clues, however Mahler is fancied to win the 2007 St Ledger.
Acapulco (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway to challenge 2f out, kept on, 4th of 9, 3l behind Lucarno (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 19, 2l behind Speed Gifted (8-11) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Honolulu (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 19, 3/4l behind Purple Moon (9-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Lucarno (USA) 7-2 (8-12) Raced wide with leader, led going well well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, won at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug beating Yellowstone (8-12) by 1l, 9 ran.
Macarthur 12-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Lucarno (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Mahler 6-1 (8-12) Made most, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 3l behind Lucarno (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Raincoat 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th on outside, pushed along 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Yellowstone (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Regal Flush 4-1jt-fav (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf beating Samurai Way (9-3) by 2l, 15 ran.
Samuel 4-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Tungsten Strike (9-12) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Veracity 10-1 (8-5) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, took narrow advantage just inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Allegretto (9-5) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
