Derby fourth Peregrine Falcon can take the last classic of the year in Ireland with victory in the Kerry Agribusiness St Leger Final over 550 yards at Limerick on Saturday.
Pat O’Brien’s runner has been in cracking form over the past few months and can make it ten wins from his last 14 races in the prestigious decider.
He came straight from Shelboune Park to the St Leger and won in the first two rounds in 29.70sec and 29.63sec.
The son of Ace Hi Rumble should be able to lead up the favourite Offshore Bound and Jaytee Valencia and can go beyond recall at the first turn.
Offshore Bound has been the favourite since the opening round in which he clocked a flying 29.38sec.
He followed up that run with 29.60sec and 29.53sec successes. The Son of Head Bound was almost eliminated from the event in last week’s semi-finals when dwelling at the start and did well just to qualify. If he can turn in a handy position he could be hard to hold.
Skywalker Rory, who won that semi-final, has been the biggest improver in the event.
Pat Guilfoyle’s dog was beaten in the first two rounds but hit form in the quarter finals when beating Barefoot Artist in 29.69sec and last week went quickest when flying out of trap five to beat Tyrur Tommy in 29.63sec.
As a former middle seed, getting trap six in the final could work in his favour.
Tyrur Tommy faces a tricky draw in trap five for owner P.J. Fahy.
He had six months off early this year before returning to the track in June.
Tyrur Tommy narrowly missed out on a place in the Derby Final when a close up fourth in the semi-finals.
The son of Forest Master won in the second round in 29.82sec and was just caught close home and beaten a head by Offshore Bound in the quarter finals.
Last week was stopped when going well at the third turn by Skywalker Rory in the semi-finals and it would be no surprise to see him flash out when it matters.
Paul Hennessy’s Jaytee Valencia, a Laurels semi-finalist, came into the St Leger on the back of a 28.21sec victory at Shelbourne Park but has so far failed to register a victory in the event.
Last week he was beaten three lengths by Peregrine Falcon and needs a flying start to figure.
Juvenile Classic and Champion Stakes winner Sidarian Vega, a confirmed railer, faces a tricky draw in four. He’s not been at his best recently there have been sign of a return to his best form.
1 Offshore Bound 5-2
2 Jaytee Valencia 7
3 Peregrine Falcon 3
4 Sidarian Vega 10
5 Tyrur Tommy 4
6 Skywalker Rory -7-2
