The Weekend Winners panel reconvened to share their leading selections for the upcoming Saturday at the St Leger Festival, focusing especially on the headline Betfred St Leger Stakes, scheduled to start at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the contenders, the market favourite at the moment is Enceladus, trained by Joseph O'Brien. Close behind are the Ballydoyle entries, Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard, both of whom are also attracting considerable attention.
Veteran jockey Tom Marquand will be aboard Amelia Earhart, while Saffie Osborne has a ride on Highwayman. "I’m backing Christmas Day over Enceladus," said one of the analysts, explaining that Enceladus had been his ante‑post choice because the horse was slated to run at Doncaster after a strong performance at Goodwood. "He possesses a beautifully progressive staying profile, even though he hasn’t yet proven himself in a Classic.
He’s three‑for‑three in 2026, having broken his maiden at Cork, then taken 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 form at Royal Ascot was especially encouraging. The analyst noted that while Enceladus might have been dismissed as a well‑handicapped horse winning on a low weight of 89, his victory in the Gordon Stakes demonstrated that he belongs in the upper echelons of the pattern. "He finished his race with a powerful late surge.
Being by Sea The Stars, his pedigree suggests stamina, and his progression since being stretched out in distance points to staying power rather than outright speed." The step up to the St Leger’s testing distance of one mile and six‑and‑a‑half furlongs should suit him perfectly. Comparisons have been drawn with Galileo Chrome, another O'Brien‑trained runner who captured the race in 2020. "Christmas Day’s Derby win was partly down to the frailties of his rivals and the conditions that day," the pundit added, implying that the horse may not be as dominant when the field is deeper.
The discussion then turned to betting dynamics. "I’m a Christmas Day backer. Does the favourite really have enough form to justify being shorter than Christmas Day?
In my view, the case isn’t clear. Enceladus’s progressive style gives him a solid angle, and we often see horses with that profile succeed in the St Leger, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the market flips on the day and Christmas Day picks up some extra support." The broadcast schedule on Sky Sports Racing includes a preview of the St Leger showdown, with Enceladus meeting Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard in what is billed as the 250th running of the race at Doncaster. Other highlights on the card include a heated exchange between James Doyle and Seb Sanders over comments about the Flying Childers clash, Hollie Doyle’s blog post backing Pierre Bonnard for a tenth Leger win for Aidan O’Brien, and a resurgence by George Scott’s Caballo De Mar in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. The panel also examined the form of the other Ballydoyle horse, Pierre Bonnard.
"I view his York run as a stepping stone toward this race; we’ve seen similar progressions before. If the ground turns soft like it did at Epsom, I have no concerns – he handled that surface well. The Irish Derby second place behind Benvenuto Cellini was respectable, and I now see this as a two‑horse contest because I’ve lost confidence in Bonnard’s consistency this season.
I prefer the runner that has already checked the box on a big day." When asked about the overall quality of the field, the expert replied, "My instinct tells me this is a fairly average renewal of the Leger, and I’m not convinced the two Ballydoyle entries will make massive strides over the extended distance. Enceladus is appealing, but I’m puzzled by the decision to fit him with cheekpieces – he’s already looked raw and behind the bridle, so perhaps they’re trying to tighten his focus.
Yet, when you add distance, you usually want a horse to run freely, not be restrained. Still, he appears the strongest stayer among the market leaders." The conversation then shifted to Amelia Earhart, a filly receiving a sex‑allowance advantage. "I can’t believe I’ve come around to backing Amelia Earhart.
Factoring in the allowance, she looks intriguing. She may not be a guaranteed winner, but my numbers show she’s been improving steadily.
She started the season as the favourite for the Oaks after a solid showing in the Cheshire Oaks, but she fell short there. Perhaps she thrives later in the year and on softer ground, rather than the firm summer turf she’s struggled on." Her connections have been experimenting with headgear – blinkers, a hood, and now none at all – suggesting they are still searching for the optimal configuration. "She’s a full sister to Cleveland, the Chester Cup winner, so the stamina genes are there.
Of all the Ballydoyle horses, she should benefit most from the longer trip, and if she does, the odds offer great value. I’ll back her to finish in the top three at 11/2." In summary, the Weekend Winners team highlighted three main narratives for the St Leger: Enceladus’s progressive staying pedigree, Christmas Day’s proven Derby class, and Amelia Earhart’s improving form combined with a sex‑allowance edge. They also warned bettors to watch for late market movements, especially if the cheekpieces on Enceladus are removed or if the ground conditions shift.
The panel encouraged viewers to tune into Sky Sports Racing for the live broadcast and to follow the ongoing coverage on the At The Races YouTube channel, where the full Weekend Winners analysis will be available.