Horse racing betting tips for Saturday, September 13th 2025

The 2025 St Leger is the main focus of the racing action this weekend. There is also racing from Doncaster and two Group 1 races at Leopardstown. Plenty for us racing fans to enjoy.

Our Punters Panel are on demand once again to answer the big questions and deliver their best insights and horse racing betting tips.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the four men answering our key questions:

SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis over the past few months.

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Lewis Beaty - Fan of the channel and is a Kent-based racing enthusiast who also made an appearance on Channel 4's First Dates many moons ago.

Daniel Weatherill - Frequent Northern racegoer and passionate gambler. Also known as Races Now's cameraman from Glorious Goodwood.

Who wins the 2025 St Leger?

SD - Maybe the question is who is the best bet in the St Leger. The most likely winner is Scandinavia. But there are doubts about many. It’s a race that offers imponderables on how high the bar is, and it may not be especially elevated. Tarriance is a massive price, but with firms paying 3 places, he may offer value. It is the extent of his improvement that makes him appealing.

AS - An Aidan O’Brien benefit lunch. The UK representation is an embarrassment. I’ve come round to fancy the O’Brien 3rd choice Stay True. Ran a perfect trial for this last time off a 102 break. Travelled really well there. Still on the up.

HF - I’m on Lambourn. I thought going into the Derby that he was a boat and wanted further. I still think he is in someways, certainly not one of the best Derby’s we’ve had. The more rain and the softer the better – hopefully Mr Levey can go back to back lead Lambourn home.

LB - Can’t see past Scandinavia myself.. Aidan again ole ole!

DW - I had really fancied Lazy Griff for a long while for this but unfortunately been ruled with injury. Scandinavia's best form is beating the first choice stablemate with a huge weight swing and although improving is a short price and worth taking on. Lambourn won a very poor Derby in my opinion and has disappointed since. Aiden O'Brien hasn’t had things plain sailing recently so I would prefer to look elsewhere. I think Carmers shaped liked a step up in trip would bring more improvement last time when he didn’t get the cleanest of passages and has won over further previously. 5/1 and three places have been briefly available which would be a bet but that unfortunately has gone now. I still give Carmers a great chance in the big one on Saturday!

Will you be having any other wagers at Doncaster?

SD - Plenty- you’d be a brave fellow to take on Eternal Sunshine in his current vein of form, for all this is tougher. Jakajaro doesn’t have much mileage but should be suited by the intermediate trio. Cape Ashizuri looked really good at Ayr last time and can upset the applecart in the Champagne.

AS - I’ve put up Ten Bob Tony ante post for the Park Stakes (3:00) and still fancy him at 5/1 now.

HF - In the Portland I’m going to have a small bit each way on Jakajaro at 16/1. Has been running well this season, 3rd off the same mark in the Stewards cup. Cheekpieces go on and think can go well in a competitive race.

LB - I like the look of Hawksbill in the construction race. Second in the last two and this looks like an easier field.

DW - Two each-way plays. Point Of Contact (1.15) was a maiden winner at Newbury over this trip. Has ran credible on last two starts including on heavy at Goodwood and travelling very strong to grab fifth in a very decent race at York. Also, Trefor (2.25). An Ultra consistent horse who is a course and distance winner at Doncaster. The ground might be a slight concern as unproven on soft but I’m willing to roll the dice as I think he has a very good chance of backing up a strong performance at York.

Any other bets taking your eye on Saturday?

SD - Oh it’s Musselburgh, so there will be.

AS - Point Of Contact in the opener at Doncaster (1:15) Ran well in a better race this at York last time. Can get amongst the places at least here.

HF - I think in the first at Doncaster, Treble Tee will take some beating at around 11/4. A progressive three year old who I think ran a cracker last time and didn’t get the clearest of runs, up two pounds from that run I don’t think will be enough to stop this one. Won on soft ground before so that won’t be a problem.

LB - Whatever SD tells us all at 8am on twitter on Saturday!

DW - Not much of a price at all but I think Hamish will win the 2:05 at Chester. Has won here before and arguably the softer the better looking at previous form, should be better than the rest and has a friendly draw. In the watergate cup I think Spirit Mixer has a good each way chance and can defy top weight. Is a course and distance winner at Chester and had a good second on soft ground at Goodwood. Finally, it is price dependent but I also think Let’s Dream is very interesting in the 4:00 at Chester. Was second in a class 3 here and had a poor passage last time out. Off a nice weight and Archie Young claiming five is a benefit.

Do you fancy anything from across Leopardstown's two Group 1 affairs?

SD - No, I seldom bet on Ireland.

AS - Cercene is too big a price in comparison to the front two in the Matron (4:25) betting. I’m against Delacroix on soft ground in the Irish Champion (5:30) and all over White Birch. A top quality horse on his day. I can see him being much shorter than his current price of around 7/1.

HF - In the Matron Stakes I strongly fancy Fallen Angel. She gets her ground, beat January last time and looks a good bet. I can’t get my head around January being fav in places, beaten by the selection last time and conditions more favourable this time for Fallen Angel. The best of the three year olds and the main danger is Cercene.

LB - One sec… I need to phone a friend. Ring ring ring ring… SD, any Group 1 fancies at Leopardstown geezer? You have to listen to the best in the business!

DW - White Birch in the Irish Champion Stakes . Was a disaster last time out at the Curragh and had absolutely no racing room. Was only an unlucky neck behind LA before that and had an unbeaten 2024. Finally gets soft ground so should be seen to best effect here. I think 15/2 is a massive price and White Birch is a fantastic each way bet.

If you're brave enough, can you tell us the worst bet you've placed this year?

SD - Where to begin, I remember putting Walking On Air up for Scottish National at 12s and he returned 50+ on the machine. He was pulled up. My unwavering commitment to horses like Sambezi would test the patience of a saint.

AS - Many candidates. Merchant for the St Leger ante post was a massive fancy of mine but connections had other ideas. Shadow Of Light was a massive let down for me in the Commonwealth Cup.

HF - Mine is the worst string of bets and lack of. The horse being Two Tribes, finished third and fourth in class 2 handicaps first two runs of the season. I thought them two were encouraging runs for a win soon, backed him the next 3 times in class 3 handicaps where he finished fourth, 11th and third. I decided to jump off that train when he showed up at the International Handicap thinking he wasn’t up to that and he then went onto win at 25/1 before making a mockery of his penalty for that win and winning the stewards cup at 11/2 comfortably.

LB - Anything on the Irish racecourses for me. Lesson learnt after about five bets…never happening again!

DW - The one that sticks out I fortunately never got around to placing but I had intended on backing Myretown for the 2026 Gold Cup after watching a Lucinda Russel stable tour. My rationale was they would start in a weak Charlie Hall and shorten massively after winning but the Charlie hall has since shaped up to be a decent race and Myretown is being aimed at the coral Gold Cup with a view to the 2027, not the 2026, Gold Cup - a costly detail which I missed in the stable tour!

Did the racing strike on Wednesday achieve anything positive for the sport?

SD - The answer to that is on November 26. The issues are that it was a busy news day and a tube strike was on. So it was not as amplified as it could have been. Postponing a big race would perhaps of had more of an effect, but pulling together in the same direction is a starting point for racing. I’m not sure if they’ll listen and further action will be needed before the budget. Maybe they should call off something more significant next time to set the catch amongst the pigeons

AS - Not particularly. Virtually none of the target market in Westminster attended. Nobody from DCMS. Not the gambling minister. Hardly any Labour MPs. Neither of the co-chairs from the Select Committee. The Government is skint. Increasing tax on betting is an easy win for them.

HF - I think for most the racing on Wednesday was hardly missed. It was good to see jockeys down in London, putting in some effort. I don’t know all what’s going on inside what discussions are being had but I don’t think anyone outside of racing will have been bothered that Wednesday’s racing didn’t happen.

LB - That's the million dollar question! What I do know is, the government have to realise turf racing and breeding here is top of the game – the best in the world. But they don’t seem to understand that, or much else for that matter!

DW - Ultimately people who follow the sport aren’t all that interested with racing on a Wednesday, so I don’t think that this strike is going to impact people who don’t follow racing. Also, protesting the same day as train strike in London is pretty diabolical planning. However , I do feel it’s worth saying that I believe doing something is better than nothing and at least the initial announcement hit some mainstream papers. But to conclude – not enough!