Cosmos appeals as likely Leger candidate

This autumn's Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster in September looks set to be one of the best renewals for some years with the list of potential runners looking a class above those seen in the race recently, writes Elliot Slater.

In Arctic Cosmos, John Gosden appears to have the ideal horse for the race and at current odd of 10/1 he appeals as seriously good each-way value.

After being brought along quietly with two respectable efforts in maiden company as a juvenile, the son of Derby winner North Light won two of his first three outings this term on the all-weather, including a handicap in May off a mark of just 78, hardly championship class level.

As a mark of just how much Gosden believed his three-year-old was progressing, the Newmarker handler declined the opportunity to run in a big Royal Ascot handicap off a mark of just 87, a race which he would surely have been able to win. Instead, he threw Arctic Cosmos into Group 2 company in the King Edward VII stakes, where he ran an absolutely blinder to chase home the very smart Monterosso. It was a race to interest people who follow horse racing tips.

Raised to a mark of 113 following that great run, Arctic Cosmos was fancied to go very close in the Gordon stakes at Glorious Goodwood earlier this week. However, he was ill at ease on the undulating track and with three furlongs to run was last and apparently in trouble. Still, when the ground levelled off, William Buick's mount suddenly found his stride and finished to tremendous effect, coming a fast closing third behind fellow St Leger hopefuls Rebel Soldier and Dandino. They are probably the best St Leger racing tips around right now.

I am convinced that on a flatter track Arctic Cosmos would have won, but am quite content to wait until Doncaster for him to bring home the bacon.
There are few better trainers than the charming Gosden and I believe he has known for some time that Arctic Cosmos has a serious chance of landing the final Classic of the season.