Storm The Stars finished third to Golden Horn in the 2015 Investec Derby. (Pic: Courtesy of Great British Racing).

By Simon Jackson.

Connections of Storm The Stars believe he will benefit from the step up in distance and is ‘the one to beat’ in the Ladbrokes St Leger where 12 acceptors remain.

The William Haggas-trained colt won the Group 2 Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes over 12 furlongs at York last week where he prevailed by half a length from Aidan O’Brien’s Bondi Beach who reopposes.

The York victory follows placed runs by Storm The Stars in the English and Irish Derbies and the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in July.

Storm The Stars, a son of 2009 Investec Derby winner Sea The Stars, has yet to race beyond a mile and a half and connections believe the step up to the extended one mile and six furlong distance of the St Leger on September 12 will suit him.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “Storm The Stars has come out of York in great form and everything is fine with him.

“I thought it was a good performance in the Voltigeur. He was game and really stuck his head down in the final furlong.

“The form of that race looks strong and I think he is the one they all have to beat at Doncaster. The others need to improve to beat him – I’m not saying they won’t but they need to.

“I think he will be more effective over a mile and three quarters. He wants this trip.”

Ladbrokes St Leger – Ladbrokes bet: 3/1 Order Of St George; 7/2 Storm The Stars; 5/1 Bondi Beach; 6/1 Mr Singh; 8/1 Fields Of Athenry; 12/1 Sumbal; 16/1 Giovanni Canaletto; 20/1 Outspoken; 25/1 Hobart, 25/1 Vengeur Masque; 33/1 Medrano, 33/1 Proposed.

EW 1/4 odds 1-2-3

Read ‘Horse Talk with Simon Jackson’ at London24 for the latest horse racing news.