The Weekend Winners panel reconvened to share their prime selections for Saturday’s St Leger Festival, zeroing in on the headline Betfred St Leger Stakes, scheduled for a 3:35 pm start on Sky Sports Racing. The discussion highlighted several contenders, with Enceladus emerging as the market leader for trainer Joseph O'Brien, while the Ballydoyle stable entered two strong runners – Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard.
Veteran rider Tom Marquand was slated to ride Amelia Earhart, and Saffie Osborne had the mount on Highwayman. One panelist opened with a candid assessment of Enceladus, noting that the horse had been his ante‑post pick because it was certain to travel to Doncaster after a solid performance at Goodwood. "He possesses a beautifully progressive staying profile," the analyst explained, "rather than having already proven himself in classic races." Enceladus has a flawless record in 2026, having broken his maiden at Cork, captured the King George VI Stakes at Royal Ascot, and then stepped up to Group 3 level to win the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood over just under a mile and a half. The commentator praised the horse’s Royal Ascot form, emphasizing that it disproved any notion that Enceladus was merely a well‑handicapped outsider winning on a low weight of 89.
The Gordon Stakes victory demonstrated that he belongs in pattern company, and he finished the race with a powerful finish. Bred from the legendary Sea The Stars, Enceladus’s progression as the distance increased suggests that stamina, rather than raw speed, is becoming his dominant attribute. "The step up to the St Leger’s mile and six‑and‑a‑half is tailor‑made for him," the pundit continued. "People have drawn parallels with Galileo Chrome, who also won this race for O’Brien in 2020.
Christmas Day’s Derby win was largely a product of a weak field and favorable conditions, so I’m not convinced the favourite has enough form to outrun Enceladus." The panel also addressed the betting market, noting that Enceladus could see his odds shift dramatically on race day, with some backing likely to swing toward Christmas Day. "I’m a Christmas Day backer," one contributor admitted, "but I’m not entirely sold on the favourite’s recent form. The progressive nature of Enceladus makes him a credible threat, yet the market can be fickle." The broadcast schedule on Sky Sports Racing was also outlined: Enceladus would clash with Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in the 250th running of the St Leger at Doncaster.
Additional highlights included a heated exchange between James Doyle and Seb Sanders over comments about the Flying Childers clash, Hollie Doyle’s blog backing Pierre Bonnard for a tenth Leger win for Aidan O’Brien, and George Scott’s Caballo De Mar returning to form in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. Turning to Amelia Earhart, the analyst confessed a surprising shift in opinion. "When you factor in her sex allowance, she becomes an intriguing prospect. She hasn’t won yet, but her recent figures show steady improvement.
She started as the favourite for the Oaks after a strong showing in the Cheshire Oaks, only to fall short. Perhaps she peaks later in the season and prefers softer ground, which could suit the St Leger’s autumn conditions." The panel noted that Amelia Earhart’s equipment has been altered frequently – blinkers, a hood, and now a clean bridle – suggesting the trainers are fine‑tuning her for optimal performance. She is a full sister to Cleveland, the Chester Cup winner, indicating a pedigree that thrives over longer distances. "If she does improve, the market odds of 11/2 for a top‑three finish look very attractive," the commentator concluded.
Overall, the consensus was that the St Leger field appears relatively average this year, and the two Ballydoyle entries may not make a huge leap in stamina. Enceladus remains the analyst’s favorite, though questions linger about the cheekpieces he now wears – a sign that he may still be raw behind the bridle.
The panelist expressed curiosity about the decision to add cheekpieces, wondering whether the horse’s rawness could be mitigated by a longer trip without the added equipment. In summary, the Weekend Winners team offered a nuanced view: Enceladus is the most compelling contender thanks to his proven staying ability and pedigree; Christmas Day could benefit from a market swing; Pierre Bonnard remains a solid Ballydoyle option; and Amelia Earhart, with her improving form and advantageous allowance, could surprise the field. Viewers were encouraged to watch the full analysis on the At The Races YouTube channel for deeper insight into each horse’s prospects ahead of the historic St Leger showdown.