Trend guide for the 2018 St Leger at Doncaster

Preview of the race

The final Classic of the season will see a host of top class three-year-olds battle it out in the St Leger at Doncaster. Kew Gardens, Lah Ti Dar, Old Persian and Loxley all remain in contention following Monday’s latest declaration stage.

The situation is subject to change. But who comes out on top currently based on trends? The Coral News Team has taken a look.

9/10 had run 3-5 times already that season

It’s imperative in the St Leger that any prospective winner has got plenty of seasonal experience under their belt. Too much wear and tear in the calendar year can make the 1m 6f course a daunting prospect.

Only Simple Verse in 2015 has triumphed in the last decade having run six or more times in the same year.

That means ante-post favourite Kew Gardens bites the dust, along with Old Persian, Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee and Proschema. The supplemented Maid Up – seven runs so far this season – also falls by the wayside.

8/10 had 2 or 3 career wins

Getting in the winning habit is equally as important. No race winner in the last 10 years had come into the renewal with a single success. On that basis, Zabriskie can be ruled out.

Likewise, only Capri and Leading Light managed to triumph with four or more career wins. Loxley also fall by the wayside as a result.

8/10 had not previously raced at Doncaster

A strange quirk of the formbook means that eight of the last 10 winners went in with no course experience. Kingston Hill (2014) and Encke (2012) are the only two to have previously raced at Doncaster before tackling the St Leger.