Dettori ditches Gregory to ride new St Leger favourite Arrest
- Breaking news ahead of the 2023 St Leger
- Frankie Dettori has jumped off Gregory to ride Arrest in Saturday's Classic
- Arrest has since been backed into 3/1 favouritism
Frankie Dettori riding Arrest comfortably win The Boodles Chester Vase Stakes at Chester. (Getty)
Frankie Dettori has had a change of heart ahead of the 2023 St Leger, a decision which has sent shockwaves through the betting market for Saturday's Classic.
Dettori had been pencilled in to ride ante-post favourite Gregory in Saturday's St Leger. Gregory jumped to the head of the betting after his victory in the Queen's Vase and remained the favourite despite a weak performance in the Great Voltigeur Stakes.
John and Thady Gosden made it known earlier in the week that both Middle Earth and Arrest would join Gregory in the field. With rain forecast all week, Arrest had already been backed before the field was confirmed. That backing turned into a tidal wave of money on Thursday morning, once it was revealed that Dettori had jumped off Gregory to ride Arrest in the St Leger.
"Frankie has switched to Arrest because it's soft ground at Doncaster, particularly down the back." John Gosden told the Racing Post in a brief statement when the field was confirmed.
Kieran Shoemark will now take the ride on Gregory, who has drifted from 5/2 to 4/1 with bet365. Arrest is the new 3/1 favourite with most firms. Middle Earth can be backed at 8/1.
Aidan O'Brien will have four runners in Saturday's Classic. Ryan Moore rides Great Voltigeur winner Continuous. Jim Crowley will partner Melbourne Cup-bound Tower Of London, with Sean Levey and Danny Tudhope partnering Alexandroupolis and Denmark respectively.
William Haggas has confirmed the Royal runner, Desert Hero in the final St Leger field. Simon & Ed Crisford's Chesspiece will also take his chance in this storied Classic.
Verdict
New St Leger Favourite:
Arrest
New St Leger Favourite
@3/1 - 15 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
25 January 2025
- ITV Racing at Cheltenham and Doncaster -
- Horse Racing
- Cape Town Met 2025 -
- Horse Racing
- 2025 Cotswold Chase -
- Horse Racing
- 2025 Pegasus World Cup -
- Horse Racing
01 February 2025
- 2025 Irish Gold Cup -
- Horse Racing
02 February 2025
- 2025 Irish Champion Hurdle -
- Horse Racing
