12th-Sept-2020

It is worthwhile backing Galileo Chrome for the St Leger now. Joseph O’Brien’s horse hasn’t followed a traditional route to the St Leger, but he has progressed significantly this term.

Raced just once last season as a juvenile, he battled on well to get home by a head in his maiden on his debut this season at The Curragh, and he stepped forward significantly from that to win a 10-furlong race at Leopardstown at the end of July, stretching right way from the 93-rated Masteroffoxhounds from the two-furlong marker.

He stepped forward from that again last time in winning the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan. Again, he travelled well through his race and he came clear of good rivals Emperor Of The Sun and Red Kelly from the furlong marker. He won by five lengths, and he could have won by more.

He is going to have to step forward again if he is going to win a St Leger, but that was just the fourth run ever, so he has the potential to progress again.  Also, it was his first foray beyond 10 furlongs, and he seemed to thrive for the step up in trip.  By Australia, his dam won over a mile and she is a half-sister to Michelangelo, who won the Cocked Hat Stakes over a mile and three furlongs, so it is not surprising that he stays well. 

You can understand why Pyledriver is favourite, he won the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he carried a penalty to victory last time in the Great Voltigeur, a good Leger trial. But he is by Harbour Watch, a Richmond Stakes winner, and his stamina is not assured. 

There is depth to the race. Santiago is the Irish Derby winner, and he finished third behind Stradivarius and Nayef Road in the Goodwood Cup last time, and Hukum is, like Galileo Chrome, a progressive and lightly-raced individual who could progress again from his Geoffrey Freer win. Subjectivist should run his race too, he is a hugely likeable individual who is tough and who stays well.  But Galileo Chrome has the potential to step forward again, and he is over-priced in my book at 6/1.

GALILEO CHROME WON (ADV 6/1, SP 4/1)