The Weekend Winners panel reconvened to share their leading selections for the upcoming Saturday at the 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 horses attracting the most attention were Enceladus, who currently leads the betting market for trainer Joseph O'Brien, and the Ballydoyle pair of Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard. Former St Leger victor Tom Marquand will be aboard Amelia Earhart, while Saffie Osborne has a ride on Highway Man.
One of the pundits opened the discussion by stating, "I’m not backing Christmas Day; my ante‑post favourite has been Enceladus ever since we learned he would head to Doncaster after his Goodwood run. He possesses a classic, progressive staying profile, even though he has not yet proven himself at the very top level in a Classic.
He is unbeaten in three starts in 2026, having broken his maiden at Cork, then captured the King George VI Stakes at Royal Ascot, before stepping up to Group 3 where he won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood over just under a mile and a half." He continued, "His Royal Ascot performance has aged well, which matters because at first glance you might have dismissed him as merely a well‑handicapped horse winning on a low weight of 89. The Gordon Stakes victory showed he belongs in pattern company, and he finished the race with a powerful finishing kick.
Being by Sea The Stars, his pedigree points to stamina, and his recent progression suggests that staying power is becoming his dominant attribute. The step up to the St Leger distance of one mile and six‑and‑a‑half furlongs should suit him perfectly. Comparisons are being drawn with Galileo Chrome, another O'Brien‑trained winner of the 2020 Leger.
As for Christmas Day, I think his Derby win was more a product of a weak field and favourable conditions than a clear indication of superiority." The analyst added a note about betting trends: "I’m a Christmas Day backer at heart, but I’m not convinced the current favourite has enough form to merit being priced shorter than Enceladus. The progressive nature of Enceladus’s runs gives him a solid angle, and we often see horses with that profile thrive in the Leger.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the market flips on the day, and I expect to see some fresh support for Christmas Day as the race approaches." Other highlights from the show included a mention of Almekarem, who is being backed for a handicap win at Newbury on Saturday, and a note that Stem also looks promising. Hollie Doyle was quoted about Arapaho Gold, who could continue an unbeaten run in Michael Dods’ Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. The broadcast schedule featured match‑ups such as Spy Chief versus Catullus at Newbury, plus live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton on Friday. The panel also gave a quick round‑up of recent form: Almeraq is set for an Ascot return on Champions Day, Deep Havana and Pilu will meet at Yarmouth, and Fairy Glen is well fancied in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth.
Viewers were reminded to stay tuned for the latest racing news, interviews and features on Sky Sports Racing. Turning to Amelia Earhart, another commentator confessed a change of heart: "I can’t believe I’ve come around to Amelia Earhart.
When you factor in her sex allowance, she becomes an intriguing prospect. She may not have won yet, but my own calculations show she has been improving steadily. She started the Oaks as the favourite after a strong showing in the Cheshire Oaks, but fell short on the day. Perhaps she prefers the cooler conditions of early autumn rather than the firm summer ground, and this could be the race where she finds her best form again." He explained the recent equipment changes: "The trainers have been experimenting with headgear – blinkers, hoods – and now everything is off.
That suggests they have identified something that could be refined for a final push. Amelia Earhart is a full sister to Cleveland, the Chester Cup winner, so there is stamina in the bloodline. Among the Ballydoyle runners, she is the one most likely to benefit from the longer distance, and if she does, she will be a value bet at 11/2 for a top‑three finish." Another voice on the panel reflected on the overall quality of the Leger field: "In my mind this is a fairly average renewal of the Leger, and I’m not convinced the two Ballydoyle horses will make huge strides over the extended trip. I like Enceladus, but I wonder why they have added cheekpieces – he has looked raw behind the bridle, so perhaps they are trying to sharpen his focus.
Still, he appears to be the strongest stayer among the market leaders." The discussion concluded with a look at the York trial, which was viewed as a stepping stone toward Doncaster: "If the ground at Doncaster turns out like the rain‑softened turf at Epsom, I have no concerns. Enceladus handled that surface well.
The Irish Derby second‑place finish behind Benvenuto Cellini was respectable, and I now see this as a two‑horse contest, especially after losing confidence in Pierre Bonnard’s form this season. I prefer a horse that has already ticked the big‑day box." Overall, the Weekend Winners team offered a nuanced picture of the St Leger field, highlighting Enceladus as a leading contender, acknowledging the potential of Christmas Day and Amelia Earhart, and noting the strategic equipment changes that could influence the outcome.
They encouraged fans to watch the full programme on the At The Races YouTube channel for deeper insight into each horse’s chances.