Wimbledon commentator opens his St Leger book

Wimbledon Racing / Darrell Williams / 12 October 2007 / Leave a Comment

Darrell Williams gives you his selections for the 'Don marathon

All eyes will be on Wimbledon this Saturday for the first round of the William Hill St Leger, the most prestigious six bend competition of the season. Last year's final produced a riveting finish with Ninja Blue beating Westmead Olivia by just a short head, and if the open nature of the ante-post market is anything to go by we're set for another helter skelter ride before the stayers champion is crowned, live on Sky Sports, on Tuesday 30th October.

In my early preview of the event a few weeks ago I favoured Foulden Special as the most likely winner and while the betting suggests there are any number of possible outcomes I still believe Derek Knight's dog is the one to be on.

Already the winner of the Grand Prix at Walthamstow, he has won all five of his starts since returning to the card, and can also boast a very impressive performance on his only previous start at Wimbledon back in the spring. While he was beaten in a recent four bend trial behind kennelmate Jazz Hurricane that should do nothing to detract from his chance given the inadequate trip, but it certainly enhances the claims of Jazz. A semi-finalist in the event last year, she was also third in the 2006 Oaks to further illustrate her love for the Plough Lane track and looks a good trading prospect at around 23 (22-1).

I also put up Cuil Magic at similar odds in my original preview and while I still rate his claims given his fastest of the year (41.02) over course and distance on Derby final night and the shrewd nature of his trainer David Pruhs, he will need to be on his toes after being drawn in the toughest of first round heats against Vatican Jinky and Spiridon Louis.

Westmead Aoifa disputes favouritism with Foulden Special and Nick Savva's bitch must be short-listed as the handler bids for a Derby/Leger double. Aoifa, runner-up in the Yorkshire Leger, has posted a brace of big performances at Wimbledon this year and remains a high class competition bitch. However, she faces red-hot opposition in the opening round with both Two Nicks and Ballymac Weeshie in opposition. The latter trained by Brian Clemenson remains highly unexposed over six bends, having won all three of his races as a stayer, although whether he's up to handling this kind of company remains to be seen and at his current odds is one I can resist.

Two Nicks is winning for fun at the moment (seven in his last eight), the only time he didn't taste victory was when finishing runner-up in the Gold Collar behind Vatican Jinky at Belle Vue. That rival posted a decent trial at Wimbledon last week, but I still have my doubts about his stamina. That's something about which Spiridon Louis has no concerns of course, given his status as one of the country's top marathon dogs. He won the Dorando over eight bends here on Derby night, setting a new track record in the process, and looks sure to keep qualifying. Whether he can handle the speedier sorts should he get to the final is open to debate, but he looks over-priced in my opinion at this stage. For those looking further down the betting I'd also consider Big Brett Coal, closely matched with Cuil Magic on Derby night form, and flying at present. I also like Masterpiece, who looks plotted up as the only railer in his first round heat. He has taken well to six bends and posted a good trial the other day.

What do you think? Has Darrell called it right? Or are there some good dogs he's missed out? Let us know by posting a comment below.