St Leger Semi-Final Betting: Can Bubbly power through to the final?

Events / Darrell Williams / 21 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Darrell Williams sets up Tuesday night's St Leger semi-finals where Bubbly Totti currently heads Lenson joker in the betting.

Nervous connections await tonight's St Leger semi-finals at Wimbledon knowing they are just over 40 seconds away from a place in the final of the most important six-bend race of the year.

At a quick glance finding the two winners looks simple enough. Bubbly Totti, having comfortably won the battle of the titans to end Lenson Joker's 12 race unbeaten sequence, should win the first semi-final (8.30), while realistically his beaten rival will be expected to return to winning ways in the second race 15 minutes later.

Of the two, Bubbly Totti appears the more bullet proof. Now building his own winning sequence, currently at five, Ted Soppitt's Derby quarter-finalist hasn't put a foot wrong in the competition so far with the fastest time in both opening rounds. Even the loss of trap six is unlikely to hinder him as, even if he doesn't lead Brimardon Star he's likely to have too much pace from the first bend to halfway for that rival.

Of course Bubbly Totti's winning odds won't appeal to everyone, which is why a speculative win and place wager on Droopys Arsene might be worth a few shillings. While the Irish raider realistically shouldn't be able to reverse a three length quarter-final defeat to 'Totti', he looks handily drawn to control the inside, especially if as expected Iceman Brutus elects to drive a middle path. There's also an argument that suggests a small outright saving wager on Pat Curtin's runner might not be bad insurance, especially for those who heeded this column's advice and played Bubbly Totti before the first round. At worst, he should ensure a 'green book' come next week's final. I'd also be hopeful of strong staying Midway Skipper, also advised at the outset, to qualify in third place.

As I suggested Lenson Joker should in theory return to the winners' enclosure in the other semi-final (8.45), but taking the short odds makes only limited appeal. Remember, he was four lengths slower than Bubbly Totti on comparative first round times, before succumbing to second bend trouble before trailing that rival by more than three lengths last Friday.

Dissection of his earlier Yarmouth win before the Leger might also suggest that his long run without a break could just be catching up with him. Of course no one will be surprised if 'Joker' powers home and he should enjoy plenty of racing room outside Lavenders Grant. However, Carbarns Tom is also well drawn as the sole wide seed, and was only eight spots slower than his rival on first round times. If he traps in his best style, his odds would suddenly look very enticing and a win/place wager is also suggested.