The Weekend Winners panel reconvened to share their leading selections for Saturday's St Leger Festival, with a particular focus on the headline event, the Betfred St Leger Stakes, scheduled to start at 3:35 p.m. on Sky Sports Racing. Their discussion covered the form, prospects, and tactical considerations of the key contenders, while also offering broader insight into the festival's other headline races and the overall atmosphere at Doncaster. Among the horses drawing the most attention was Enceladus, who currently leads the betting market for trainer Joseph O'Brien.
The Ballydoyle stable also has two strong entries in the race: Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard. Veteran jockey Tom Marquand will be aboard Amelia Earhart, while rising star Saffie Osborne takes the reins on Highway Man.
"I’m leaning heavily toward Christmas Day, but Enceladus is also a serious contender," explained one of the analysts. "Enceladus was my ante‑post pick because we knew he would be headed to Doncaster after his Goodwood run. He possesses a beautifully progressive staying profile, even though he hasn’t yet proven himself in a Classic.
He’s unbeaten in three starts in 2026, having captured his maiden at Cork, then the King George VI Stakes at Royal Ascot, and finally stepping up to Group 3 level to win the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood over just under a mile and a half." His performance at Royal Ascot was particularly telling. While some might have dismissed him as a well‑handicapped horse winning on a low weight of 89 pounds, the Gordon Stakes victory demonstrated that he belongs in the upper echelons of the pattern. The colt finished strongly, confirming that his stamina is developing faster than his speed.
Bred by the legendary Sea The Stars, Enceladus has shown a clear trajectory toward longer distances, making the St Leger’s mile‑and‑six‑and‑a‑half‑furlong test an ideal fit. Comparisons have already been drawn between Enceladus and Galileo Chrome, the horse that Joseph O'Brien guided to victory in the 2020 St Leger. The analyst noted, "Christmas Day’s Derby form was impressive, but that win came partly because the opposition was fragile and the conditions suited him.
Enceladus, on the other hand, has a proven staying pedigree and a recent record that suggests he can handle the extended trip without losing his turn of foot." The panel also examined the broader betting market. "I’m a Christmas Day backer," one commentator said, "but the favourite’s recent form doesn’t convince me that he should be shorter than Enceladus. The progressive nature of Enceladus’s campaign gives him a solid angle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the market flips on the day, giving Christmas Day a surge of support." Beyond the main event, the discussion touched on several other races that will shape the festival narrative. On Sky Sports Racing, viewers can watch Enceladus clash with Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in what is billed as the 250th running of the St Leger at Doncaster.
Meanwhile, James Doyle defended his tactics against Seb Sanders after a heated exchange about the Flying Childers clash, and Hollie Doyle posted a blog entry backing Pierre Bonnard to secure Aidan O’Brien’s tenth Leger triumph. The Doncaster Cup also featured prominently, with George Scott’s Caballo De Mar rebounding to form in the Group 2 Town Moor contest, later being crowned the Doncaster Cup king. Seb Sanders, meanwhile, expressed frustration after a dramatic finish in the Flying Childers, adding further intrigue to the weekend’s racing drama. Returning to the St Leger field, the analysts evaluated the Ballydoyle trio in depth.
"The York run was a stepping stone for Enceladus," one expert observed. "If the ground turns soft, as it did at Epsom, I have no concerns—he handled that surface well. The Irish Derby second‑place finish behind Benvenuto Cellini was respectable, and I view this as essentially a two‑horse contest now that my confidence in Pierre Bonnard has waned.
I prefer a horse that has already proven itself on a big day." However, not everyone is convinced the Ballydoyle horses will dominate. "My gut says this is an average renewal of the Leger," another panelist remarked. "I’m not sure the two Ballydoyle entries will make huge strides over the longer distance. Enceladus is appealing, but I wonder why they’ve added cheekpieces.
He’s looked raw behind the bridle, so perhaps they’re trying to tighten his focus. Still, he appears the strongest stayer among the market leaders." The conversation then shifted to Amelia Earhart, a filly who has attracted unexpected interest.
"I can’t believe I’ve come around to backing Amelia Earhart," the analyst admitted. "When you factor in her sex allowance, she becomes an intriguing prospect.
She hasn’t won yet, but her form has been improving steadily. She was the favourite for the Oaks after a solid run in the Cheshire Oaks, but fell short on the day.
Perhaps she thrives later in the season when the ground isn’t as firm, and a softer, more testing surface could bring out her best." The team noted that the filly’s equipment has been altered several times throughout the season—blinkers, a hood, and now a clean bridle—suggesting the trainers are still searching for the optimal setup. "She’s a full sister to Cleveland, who won the Chester Cup, so the stamina genes are there," the commentator added. "If she stays the distance, she could be the best of the Ballydoyle trio, and she’s still priced at attractive odds of 11/2 for a top‑three finish." Overall, the Weekend Winners panel painted a picture of a highly competitive St Leger with several plausible outcomes. Enceladus offers a progressive staying profile, Christmas Day brings proven Derby stamina, Pierre Bonnard adds a touch of class, while Amelia Earhart provides a fresh, potentially undervalued angle for bettors seeking value.
The festival promises not only thrilling racing but also a wealth of stories, interviews, and expert analysis for fans to follow on Sky Sports Racing and the At The Races YouTube channel. The consensus is clear: expect a tightly contested race, possible betting market swings on the day, and plenty of drama as the horses tackle the historic Doncaster course for one of British flat racing’s most prestigious titles.