PUNTERS have smashed into Joseph O’Brien’s main St Leger fancy Enceladus – after an eye-catching jockey booking was confirmed.
Fresh off riding Constitution Hill to fourth in last Saturday’s September Stakes, champion-elect Billy Loughnane has bagged another major gig.
Loughnane is jocked up on the BHA website for the money-spinning ride on the rapidly improving Royal Ascot winner.
Joseph looks all set to take on dad Aidan in what could turn into a family affair at Doncaster.
Of the 12 horses yesterday confirmed for the £700,000 Group 1, five are trained by Ballydoyle boss Aidan and two by Joseph.
The latter is also set to run Highwayman, who will be ridden by Saffie Osborne.
A woman jockey has never won a British Classic so punters could see something historic on Town Moor.
But it’s three-year-old colt Enceladus they are siding with for now.
And he is putting pressure on Derby winner Christmas Day at the head of the market.
Ladbrokes have reported a surge of cash for the Gordon Stakes and King George winner, who is owned by Flaxman Stables.
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His rating has soared from 89 at the time of his Royal win to 112 now – and shows no signs of stopping.
The firm’s Nicola McGeady said: “Enceladus has been comfortably the best-backed horse in the St Leger market this week, and the arrival of Billy Loughnane in the saddle has only added to punters’ confidence.
“He’s attracting plenty of support, although Christmas Day remains the horse they all have to beat.”
Joseph’s No1 jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle is out injured after a horrific fall at Bellewstown last month.
The St Leger clashes with day one of the Irish Champions Festival so he may have been needed at Leopardstown anyway.
Regardless, Joseph is delighted to have a top pilot lined up.
He said: “The plan is for Enceladus to run there and we’re delighted to have Billy on board.
“We’re very happy with how he’s been training and his preparation has gone smoothly.
“He shapes like a horse that will have a good chance of staying and he has a good temperament for it, so we’d be hopeful he’ll be fine at the trip.”
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St Leger odds via Ladbrokes
7-4 Christmas Day, 9-4 Enceladus, 5-2 Pierre Bonnard, 12-1 Hatteen, 14-1 Highwayman, 20-1 bar
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