The Last Classic: Why the St Leger Still Matters
There's a moment every September when the Flat season starts to feel like it's slipping through your fingers. The St Leger is that moment. The oldest Classic in the calendar — older than the Derby, older than the Oaks — and still one of the most searching examinations of a three-year-old's stamina, temperament and class that the sport has to offer.
This year the Betfred St Leger Stakes makes its way to Chester — a fascinating switch from Doncaster's traditional wide-open galloping track to one of the most unique, tight-turning circuits in British racing. That matters enormously for how this race will be run and who it will suit. We'll get into the draw and going in detail, but first let's talk about the horses that actually have a chance of winning this thing. Check the full Chester racecard for confirmation of all declarations and market moves on the day.
The Main Contenders
Christmas Day (Aidan O'Brien / R. P. Whelan) — Rated 118
The headline act and, on ratings alone, the one they all have to beat. A mark of 118 in this field is a significant advantage — he's carrying six pounds clear of his nearest serious rival and twelve clear of the bottom of the market. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, who knows better than anyone how to place a stayer for a Classic, Christmas Day arrives here as the logical favourite. R. P. Whelan takes the ride, and you'd expect him to be produced with a well-timed challenge from mid-division. The key question isn't whether he's good enough — it's whether Chester's sharp track and the likely pace scenario will allow him to produce his best. On balance, he probably will. This is the class horse in the race.
Pierre Bonnard (Aidan O'Brien / W. M. Lordan) — Rated 116
O'Brien fires two bullets here, which is entirely typical, and Pierre Bonnard is the second string on paper but no pushover. Rated 116, he's a serious stayer in his own right and the fact that Lordan keeps the ride suggests connections are happy with how he's been working. The danger for Pierre Bonnard is that if the race is truly run to suit Christmas Day, he may find himself picking up the same scraps. Still, in a falsely-run race or if Christmas Day has an off day, Pierre Bonnard is more than capable of taking the spoils. Don't dismiss him.
Enceladus (Joseph Patrick O'Brien / Billy Loughnane) — Rated 112
Joseph O'Brien has a habit of producing well-prepared stayers for the big autumn prizes, and Enceladus at 112 represents a genuine each-way proposition. Billy Loughnane has been in fine form and is a smart jockey for a track like Chester — he doesn't panic, he settles horses well, and he reads a race with good instinct. Enceladus will need to find improvement on his rating to trouble the top two, but there's a case that he's been lightly campaigned and has more to offer. Draw nine puts him on the outside of the field, which at Chester is worth monitoring — more on that below.
Action (Aidan O'Brien / Sean Levey) — Rated 109
The third O'Brien runner, and while 109 looks a stretch in this company, Sean Levey is a jockey who gets the best from horses in staying contests. Action has shown enough in his prep runs to suggest he's a genuine stayer rather than a horse who's simply been campaigned at the trip. At a big price, he's worth a small each-way interest if the market drifts him — but realistically, his role here may be as a pacemaker or to help shape the race for his stablemates. Worth keeping an eye on the betting to understand O'Brien's intentions.
Amelia Earhart (Aidan O'Brien / Tom Marquand) — Rated 104
The only filly in the field, carrying a three-pound allowance down to 9-0. Amelia Earhart is an interesting runner — fillies have a decent record in the St Leger historically, and the weight concession is meaningful over a mile and six furlongs. Tom Marquand is an excellent jockey for a staying test and he'll give her every chance. Rated 104, she's got plenty to find on paper, but the allowance, the Aidan O'Brien polish, and the possibility that she's been specifically targeted at this race make her a more interesting runner than the bare rating suggests.
Galiyan (Andrew Balding / Daniel Tudhope) — Rated 106
Andrew Balding's best hope, and Daniel Tudhope is a jockey who punches above his weight in big-field handicaps and Classics. Galiyan has drawn stall one — the rail at Chester — which is a significant advantage (more below). If there's any pace on and the race develops into a genuine test of stamina, Galiyan could be the one to emerge from the chasing pack at a rewarding price. Balding tends to have his horses spot-on for targets like this, and I wouldn't be surprised if Galiyan runs a big race.
Going, Draw and Track Conditions
The going is described as Good, Good to Soft in places (Soil Moisture 40), which is a perfectly fair surface for a staying Classic — it will reward genuine stayers without becoming a slog. No horse should be inconvenienced by the conditions on paper.
The draw at Chester, however, is a different story. Chester is one of the most draw-biased tracks in Britain — a tight, left-handed oval where low draws have a structural advantage, particularly over longer trips where the field strings out and position becomes everything. Stall one (Galiyan) and stall two (Alderman) are attractive on that basis. Stalls nine (Enceladus) and eleven (Golden Story) are less appealing — those horses will need to use energy early to find a good position or accept racing wide throughout.
Both Golden Story and Hatteen carry course winner form flags, which is worth noting — they've clearly handled Chester's unique demands before. In a race where track knowledge can matter, that experience shouldn't be entirely dismissed.
Value Picks and Dangers
The value pick in this race is Galiyan. The low draw, a trainer in form, a jockey who rides Chester well, and a rating of 106 that could easily be exceeded — all of that adds up to a horse who could outrun his price significantly. At likely double-figure odds, a small each-way bet makes plenty of sense.
The danger to the favourite is Pierre Bonnard. If Christmas Day gets into any sort of trouble in running — which is more likely at Chester than at Doncaster — his stablemate is right there to capitalise. In-running traders will want to watch the O'Brien pair closely.
- Christmas Day — the class horse, banker for many accumulators
- Pierre Bonnard — best each-way alternative among the market leaders
- Galiyan — value pick, low draw, capable trainer and jockey
- Enceladus — lightly raced, could have more to offer
- Amelia Earhart — filly's allowance and O'Brien polish make her interesting
My Selection: Christmas Day
I've been around long enough to know that trying to be clever against the class horse in a Classic usually ends in tears. Christmas Day is a 118-rated stayer trained by the best in the business, with a jockey who knows exactly what's required. Chester's track is a concern — it's not the galloping canvas you'd ideally draw up for a horse of his profile — but Aidan O'Brien wouldn't have him here if he wasn't confident he'd handle it.
Back Christmas Day as your win bet. Take Galiyan each-way for interest and a return if the favourite hits trouble in the tight Chester bends. That combination covers the race sensibly without overcomplicating things — which is usually the best approach when you're dealing with a field this strong.
Who is the favourite for the Betfred St Leger Stakes 2026?
Christmas Day, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by R. P. Whelan, is the clear market leader on the strength of his official rating of 118 — the highest in the field by six pounds. He's expected to go off as a short-priced favourite and is the selection of most serious analysts heading into the race.
Is Chester a good venue for the St Leger?
It's a fascinating but challenging switch from the traditional Doncaster home. Chester's tight, left-handed circuit tests a horse's jumping ability through the bends and rewards low draws. It's a more tactical test than Doncaster's wide-open gallop, which means pace, positioning and draw all play a bigger role than usual. Horses with Chester experience — like Golden Story and Hatteen — may have a small edge in that regard.
Does the draw matter in the St Leger at Chester?
Yes, significantly. Chester is one of the most draw-biased tracks in British Flat racing, with low stalls generally holding an advantage — particularly over longer distances. Galiyan in stall one is ideally positioned from a draw perspective. Horses drawn in double figures, like Golden Story (11) and Enceladus (9), will need luck in running or an early move to avoid being caught wide throughout.
