2023 St Leger Tips - Haggas' Hero can deliver poignant Classic win

You can find the latest betting for the 2023 St Leger here on our website.

The St Leger was run a day later than scheduled in 2022, as horse racing mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II. A year and a week later, the Royal Family could be celebrating their first victory in this fabled Classic.

King Charles and Queen Camilla came down from the Royal Box to receive the winning owner trophy on Gold Cup day at Royal Ascot, after DESERT HERO'S triumph in the King George VI Stakes. Tom Marquand was posted wide throughout that handicap from a horrible draw out in stall 21, but Desert Hero managed to weave his way through traffic and pip Valiant King to the post.

William Haggas then stepped his three-year-old up to Group Three company at Glorious Goodwood, where Desert Hero delivered another victory in the Gordon Stakes. Tom Marquand was still motionless in the saddle three furlongs out, but was forced to pull his mount down to the inside rail to find a route through the field. Once he found open air, Desert Hero put the race to bed well, claiming a cosy victory over another of Saturday's runners, Chesspiece.

Although he's yet to sire a St Leger winner, we've seen several Sea The Stars colts go close in this Classic in recent seasons, including Crystal Ocean and Stradivarius, who were narrowly beaten by Capri in 2017. William Haggas' stable has been in good form of late and Marquand is riding at the top of his game.

Desert Hero has taken a giant stride forward with each of his three runs this season and boasts a perfect three-from-three record when racing on soft or heavy ground, so there are no doubts as to whether he'll deal with Saturday's going. For me, there are no stand-outs in this year's St Leger and if Desert Hero has progressed again, he could clinch Classic glory.

If you plan on watching this Classic via a mobile or tablet, then check out our St Leger Live Stream page.