The 2018 St Leger betting tips given by Horsebetting.com say Lah To Dar is a worthy favourite to provide trainer John Gosden with a fifth winner of the 1m 6f Classic contest at Doncaster on Saturday, 15 September. Loxley has a progressive profile and rates the main danger, while The Pentagon looks a lively outsider at massive odds worth considering each-way. For full details why, read our in-depth 2018 St Leger betting tips preview.Classic case to be made for Lah Ti Dar in St LegerTrainer John Gosden has won the St Leger on four occasions, so his unbeaten filly Lah Ti Dar looks to hold outstanding claims of adding to that tally in this staying Classic contest at Doncaster on Saturday (15:35). This daughter of Dubawi created a huge impression when landing a 14-runner maiden at Newbury back in April by six lengths.
After being produced to take up the running at the furlong marker by jockey Frankie Dettori, she stretched effortlessly clear to score with any amount in hand. Lah Ti Dar then took the step up into Listed company in her stride when landing the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket when powering clear inside the last to slam Expressly by 3 1/4 lengths.
It was a performance which marked her out as a tremendous top-notch prospect that was bound for Group 1 glory and saw her installed at the head of the ante post betting for the Epsom Oaks. However, injury ruled her out of the fillies’ Classic and resulted in Lah Ti Dar spending 109 days on the sidelines.
Her handler was in no rush to get her back on track and his patience was rewarded when she totally destroyed the opposition in the Listed 1m 4f Galtres Stakes at York last month. After taking up the running three from home, Lah To Dar strode effortlessly clear to beat Light Of Joy by 10 lengths.
Although the runner-up is no world beater, the way in which she got the job done with the minimum of fuss was breathtaking and there were some fairly solid sorts in behind that she made look like selling platters. The way in which Lah Ti Dar hit the line hard suggested that the extra two furlongs in this would be right up her street and, as a filly, she receives a handy 3lb sex allowance.
Taking into into account she comes out 1lb clear of her nearest rival, Old Persian, on official ratings. So, with the prospect of more to come assured, Lah Ti Dar’s claims are crystal clear in this and we therefore had no hesitation in putting her up as the main selection in our 2018 St Leger betting tips.Progressive Loxley feared mostTrainer Charlie Appleby saddles two for leading owners Godolphin in the shape of Loxley and Old Persian. Although rated 3lb inferior to his stable companion, Loxley has a progressive profile and looks the type that will be suited by the step up to the extended 1m 6f trip of this, so rates the main danger to Lah Ti Dar.
This son of New Approach has won three of his five starts and comes into the contest right at the top of his game having landed back-to-back contest at Deauville. After easily landing a Listed contest by three lengths, he produced a career-best performance when showing a smart turn of foot to cosily beat Master’s Spirit in a Group 2.
Prior to those impressive successes, Loxley had run very well when a staying on two-length runner-up to Wells Farhh Go in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy over 1m 5f at Newmarket. He appears to have strengthened up significantly since then and is clearly thriving at present.
Jockey James Doyle is also 1-1 on him and he’s versatile as regards ground, which is another plus. So, taking everything into account a bold bid to land the hat-trick looks on the cards, despite the fact that this represents a big step up in class. Thus Loxley is taken to give lah Ti Far most to think about in a cracking renewal of the oldest Classic.The Pentagon an each-way option at huge oddsTop Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien saddles five in an attempt to win the race for a sixth time. Kew Gardens is by far the shortest in the betting and vying for favouritism with Lah Ti Dar; however, The Pentagon wasn’t that far behind his stable companion last time out in the Great Voltigeur at York, so looks a lively outsider and each-way value.
This colt has some very smart for as a juvenile when winning twice and finishing a fine third to stable companion and subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at this venue. He looked the type that would come into his own as a three-year-old, but has failed to get his head in front in four starts this season.
However, he did run well on the second of those when a length third to Hazapour in a Group 3 over 1m 2f at Leopardstown and also when fifth of 12 to Latrobe in the Irish Derby over 1m 4f at The Curragh where, after being held-up and forced to race wide, he got outpaced before staying on strongly to be gaining all the way to the line and beaten 3 3/4 lengths.
The Pentagon also did all his best work at the finish when fifth in the aforementioned Great Voltigeur, in which Kew Gardens came third, having been given plenty to do. He has 3 3/4 length to find on that rival, but has always looked the type that was crying out for a stamina test. He now gets that, so at a massive double figure price features as the each-way punt in our 2018 St Leger betting tips.Your Next Bet
