Irish St Leger Betting Preview, Tips and Trends

One of three Group 1 races on the Sunday of Irish Champions Weekend, the Irish St Leger is the final classic of the campaign in Ireland. Raced over the 1m 6f distance, it has a prize pool of €228,000 in 2020.

Unlike the English equivalent, horses older than age of three can enter the contest. The most famous winner is Vinnie Roe, who landed the race four years straight for Dermot Weld.

You can find everything you need to know about the Irish St Leger below, from the thoughts and analysis of our experts, valuable stats and trends, free bets and our Irish St Leger tip.

Irish St Leger Runners and Riders

Twilight Payment 

In great form this season, winning a pair of group races at the Curragh. The latter was an impressive success in the Curragh Cup and he seems to be an improved commodity in 2020. That being said, he was beaten six lengths in this contest twelve months ago by Search For A Song.

Search For A Song 

Won this race twelve months ago ahead of the smart Kew Gardens. That remains her sole run over the fourteen-furlong distance and she’s been crying out for it in two starts this term. Unexposed as a stayer and looks tough to beat in her back-to-back bid.

Fujaira Prince

English challenger who has been hugely progressive since returning in 2020. Has won a pair of top-class handicaps, latterly at York when taking the Ebor off a huge weight. Unexposed over fourteen furlongs and could easily have more to offer.

Sovereign 

Blow-away Irish Derby winner last season, well-held by Twilight Payment on return over course and distance. Flattered with a soft lead when second to Enable at Ascot since but has enough quality to play a leading role.

Micro Manage 

Has run just four times, enduring a stop-start career thus far. He was highly promising as a juvenile and easily won a handicap on his sole three-year-old start. Absent for another 434 days prior to a Group 3 third on his first try of the distance. More required but entitled to come on for the reappearance.

Irish St Leger Tip

Search For A Song

This race looks set up for last year’s winner Search For A Song, who pulverised the field twelve months ago. Her sole role over fourteen furlongs remains that success, running as though she desperately needed a return to it in 2020.

She ran with huge amounts of credit when third to Magical over ten furlongs here last time and back up in distance, she’s going to be tough to beat for Dermot Weld.

Irish St Leger Trends

• 7 of the last 10 winners were aged four of older
• 6 of the last 10 winners were rated 110 or above
• 6 of the last 10 winners had won at least two races that season
• 5 of the last 10 winners were trained by Aidan O’Brien or Dermot Weld
• 5 of the last 10 winners were sent off 9/1 of bigger

The rescheduled calendar in 2020 means we should take stats with a pinch of salt, however, they do still give a good guide as to what it takes to win the race.

Irish St Leger Previous Winners

• 2019 – Search For A Song (Chris Hayes, Dermot Weld)
• 2018 – Flag Of Honour (Ryan Moore, Aidan O’Brien)
• 2017 – Order Of St George (Ryan Moore, Aidan O’Brien)
• 2016 – Wicklow Brave (Frankie Dettori, Willie Mullins)
• 2015 – Order Of St George (Joseph O’Brien, Aidan O’Brien)
• 2014 – Brown Panther (Richard Kingscote, Tom Dascombe)
• 2013 – Voleuse De Coeurs (Chris Hayes, Dermot)
• 2012 – Royal Diamond (Niall McCullagh, Thomas Carmody)
• 2011 – Duncan (Eddie Ahern, John Gosden)
• 2010 – San Fontieres (Olivier Peslier, Jeremy Noseda)

Free Bets for the Curragh and Irish Champions Weekend

Get a head start with your bets this week by signing up to a bookmaker account and claiming a free bet. With two days of top-class action from the Curragh, free bets can come in handy, especially with firms competing against one another to offer the best deals. We have selected the three best offers below or you can check out our Free Bets page for more offers.