Punters Go Wild for Rewilding

Ladbrokes St Leger favourite Rewilding has been the subject of significant horse racing tips market support as the build up to the world's oldest classic, run at Doncaster this Saturday, gathers momentum, writes Elliot Slater.

 

Godolphin's imposing son of Tiger Hill has proven his ability to handle testing ground in the past, and recent rain at Town Moor coupled with a long-range forecast of significant heavy rain in the 24 hours before the extended mile-and-six furlong contest, seems to have convinced many punters that the Mahmoud al Zarooni- trained colt will be in his element.

 

Rewilding has gone from strength to strength this term, running second on his seasonal bow in a Group 2 at Longchamp when running his final start for Andre Fabre, then opening his British account at the first time of asking when easily defeating Prizefighting in a listed contested at Goodwood in May. A fine effort in the Epsom Derby, where he stayed on to finish third to Workforce, was followed by an imperious display when trouncing Irish Derby runner-up Midas Touch by four lengths in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month.

 

Now generally a 6/4 shot with racing tips for today, (13/8 still available in places), Rewilding dominates the ante-post St Leger betting, with Midas Touch and Dandino both available at 7/1, whilst Arctic Cosmos, Joshua Tree and dual Oaks heroine Snow Fairy can all be backed at 8/1. It's 16/1 bar the front six in the market.

 

The rain-softened conditions could spell problems for Doncaster's clerk of the course David Williams, who watered the course on Sunday evening even though the Met Office forecast suggested there would be plenty of rain hitting the Doncaster area in the days running up to the four-day fixture which begins on Wednesday.