Doncaster preview: St Leger (15.45)

Bondi Beach has a progressive profile and can take another step forward to provide leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fifth win in the final classic of the season, the St Leger at Doncaster (15.45).

The Balldoyle handler saddles two runners in this year’s renewal of the 1m 6f contest after the late withdrawal of Order Of St George, but Bondi Beach looks the pick and has struck form at the right time.

Bondi Beach didn’t make his debut until May of this year when nudged out to beat stable companion Bantry Bay by a short-head at Leopardstown.

The colt was then arguably given too much to do when staying on strongly from well off the pace to be beaten 1/2 alength in a 1m 4f Listed contest at the same venue, before getting back to winning ways in the Group 3 Curragh Cup when beating stable companion Order Of St George by a short-head.

Bondi Beach was value for more than the winning margin as jockey Seamie Heffernan dropped his whip a furlong and a half from home, and it was to the three-year-old’s credit that he responded well under a hands and heels ride to get up on the line.

It was an effort which suggested Bondi Beach needed keeping firmly onside, and that view was confirmed last time out when the well-bred son of Galileo was beaten just 1/2 a length by Storm The Stars in the Group 2 Great Voligeur at York three weeks ago.

Bondi Beach looked unlucky loser as he was coming with what looked to be a well-timed run before getting carried right across the track by the winner.