The Weekend Winners panel reconvened to share their leading selections for Saturday's St Leger Festival, with a special focus 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, Enceladus currently commands the market for trainer Joseph O'Brien, while the Ballydoyle stable has two strong entries: Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard. Last year’s victorious jockey Tom Marquand will be aboard Amelia Earhart, and Saffie Osborne will take the reins on Highway Man.
One of the analysts explained his reasoning for backing Enceladus, noting that the horse had been his ante‑post favourite because it was clearly destined for Doncaster after a successful spell at Goodwood. "Enceladus possesses a beautifully progressive staying profile," he said, "instead of having already proved himself in classic races, he has shown a steady improvement over longer distances." The colt is unbeaten in three starts in 2026, having captured his maiden at Cork, then taken the King George VI Stakes at Royal Ascot, before 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 proved pivotal. Although some observers might have dismissed him as a well‑handicapped runner winning on a modest 89‑pound mark, the Gordon Stakes victory demonstrated that he belongs in high‑class company, and he finished his race with a powerful finishing kick.
Bred from the legendary Sea The Stars, Enceladus’s development since being tried over longer trips suggests that stamina, rather than sheer speed, is becoming his primary asset. The step up to the St Leger’s demanding distance of one mile and six‑and‑a‑half furlongs appears to suit him perfectly. Comparisons have been drawn with Galileo Chrome, another O'Brien‑trained horse that won the same race in 2020.
"Christmas Day performed well in the Derby, but that win was largely due to the frailties of his rivals and the specific ground conditions that day," the pundit added. The panel also discussed the odds on Christmas Day. "I’m a Christmas Day backer," one contributor admitted, "but I’m not convinced the favourite has enough recent form to justify a shorter price than my pick. Enceladus’s progressive nature makes him a strong contender, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the betting market swings on the day, giving Christmas Day a boost of support." The broadcast schedule on Sky Sports Racing was highlighted as well, featuring the opening of Yarmouth’s Eastern Festival with promising novice action, a segment on Kevin Blake’s comments about the need for more rides for jockeys like Leger winner Saffie Osborne, and a preview of Windsor’s flat‑season finale.
The network also covered Saffie Osborne’s emotional reaction after becoming the first woman to win a British Classic when Highway Man secured the Doncaster feature, as well as a preview of Touleen’s clash with Forty Years On at Doncaster. Turning to the Ballydoyle runners, the analyst expressed a measured view of the two horses.
"The York run was a stepping stone toward this race – we’ve seen that pattern before. If the ground turns out soft, like it did at Epsom, I have no concerns; Enceladus handled that surface well," he said. He also noted that the Irish Derby runner‑up behind Benvenuto Cellini gave a respectable effort, and he now regards the St Leger as essentially a two‑horse contest, having lost confidence in Pierre Bonnard over the season.
"I prefer a horse that has already ticked the big‑day box," he added. However, he raised a question about the equipment changes on Enceladus: "Why have they added cheekpieces? The colt has looked raw and a bit behind the bridle, so perhaps the team is trying to sharpen his focus. Yet when you increase the distance, you usually want to keep a horse relaxed, not overly stimulated.
Still, he appears the strongest stayer among the market leaders." A surprising shift in opinion was revealed when the commentator admitted he had come around to Amelia Earhart. "With her sex‑allowance factored in, she becomes an intriguing prospect. She hasn’t yet won a classic, but her recent form shows steady improvement," he explained.
Amelia Earhart was the favourite for the Oaks after a strong showing in the Cheshire Oaks, though she ultimately fell short. "Perhaps she prefers the cooler conditions of early autumn rather than the firm summer ground," he suggested, noting that she might hit her peak at this time of year. Further equipment changes were also discussed.
"They’ve been experimenting with headgear – blinkers, a hood, and now everything is off. Clearly the trainers have identified something they can tweak for a marginal gain," the analyst observed.
Amelia Earhart is a full sister to Cleveland, the Chester Cup winner, and the panel believes she could thrive over the longer St Leger distance, especially among the Ballydoyle entries. "If she does, she won’t need a huge price to be profitable. I’ll back her to finish in the top three at 11/2 odds," he concluded.
For listeners who want the full discussion, the Weekend Winners show can be watched in its entirety on the At The Races YouTube channel. The panel’s insights, combined with the rich history of the St Leger and the evolving form of each contender, provide a comprehensive preview for anyone planning to place a bet or simply enjoy the excitement of one of Britain’s most storied classic races.