St Leger Live on Sky Sports: A Complete Athlete’s Guide and Expert Review of the Doncaster Classic featuring New London | Racing news
Host Mike Cattermole gives his expert assessment of the year’s final British Classic and Doncaster’s Saturday feature, Cazoo St Leger, live on Sky Sports Racing.
When autumn arrives, it’s time for the world’s oldest Classic, the Cazoo St Leger, to run for the first time in 1776 and date back some four years to the Derby.
No one can claim that this year’s renewal is a classic – being a gelding, the admirable Deauville Legend never qualified to run – but we do have Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal, Tuyen French third Derby Ireland, and the new London high progress.
Guaranteed stays and old rivals Eldar Eldarov and Zechariah can’t be ignored, and then there’s the added and undefeated Haskoy, who has loads of potential. It is definitely another tantalizing puzzle.
Bluegrass
Percussion: TBC; Coach: Aidan O’Brien
Trained by six-time winner Aidan O’Brien, it’s a big plus, but this beautiful pony hasn’t been as successful in his career, showing a form that has been very useful as a Ballysax goal. and Dante.
Last time, he tried to go a mile and three-quarters in the Leopardstown-listed company and didn’t seem to see it when the fourth was well organized. Hard to like.
Eldar Eldarov
David Egan; Roger Varian
Create a large amount of ground in the last half-long coat to collar Zechariah on the line in Queen’s Vase over a mile-six at Royal Ascot. He has to make at least five lengths, showing the huge stamina is his powerful suit.
In recent years, Vase has been used as a successful stepping stone to this by both Leading Light in 2013 and Kew Gardens in 2018.
However, falling a mile and a half behind, he lost his undefeated record by finishing a lackluster fourth at the last Group One Grand Prix de Paris.
This will be more of his baggage and going straight at Town Moor, he is expected to get a real header in the closing stages in a bid to secure his second Leger for the pitch. , after Kingston Hill in 2014. Big opportunity .
El Habeeb
Rossa Ryan; Kevin Philippart de Foy
Since the little-known male was Al Rifai, son of Galileo, who won John Gosden’s only all-weather starter at Kempton for John Gosden, this pony has always swam in the deep, even also appeared for the first time in a listed company.
He was beaten well in the Derby but took his first win in Wolverhampton over a mile and a half. Presents a trainer that is growing but is likely to be easily overrated again.
French statement
Daniel Tudhope; Paddy Twomey
Another from the yard of a progressive young pitcher who has already made a name for himself.
Moving forward on the trip after making the run in the Irish Derby when beaten nine legs to third place by Westover.
His pedigree doesn’t speak for endurance and he’s certainly up against it in terms of form, but the forecast rain could help as he takes a very easy win on an easy surface at Cork when it reappears. Still, there’s a leap of faith to imagine him being involved in death.
Giavellotto
Neil Callan; Marco Botti
An improved driver, who knocked out three competitors in more than a mile and three-quarters ready fashion at Newmarket, ran well on soft ground on the same ride at Haydock last time around.
Trip and ground (whatever it is) won’t be an issue, but he’ll need to find a lot more to get into this deeper company.
Hoo Ya Mal
David Probert; George Boughey
Runner-up Derby, who was probably third for the day, while Westover had an unlucky game.
Switched hands for £1.2m at the Goffs London Sale later and has performed well for new relationships since, taking third place in Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, behind New London, before landing with March Stakes looks weak on the same course at over a mile and three-quarters odds on good to weak ground.
That Goodwood trial produced Leger winners Commanche Run and Michelozzo back in the 1980s but has largely been overlooked as a preparation for Leger in recent years. He seems to be fine – in that company – but this is a much tougher test.
His new relationships are still planning to hit the Melbourne Cup.
New London
William Buick; Charlie Appleby
The big, well-ranged man who put his Chester Vase in reverse (when he seemed uncomfortable on the track) was firmly behind him with a class victory in the handicap company at Newmarket, ahead of him. when he knocked out Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood in good form.
The form has been enhanced several times since, with runner-up Deauville Legend winning the Great Voltigeur, third Hoo Ya Mal the March Stakes, fifth Cresta completely dominating a competition listed in Windsor, and Friday West Wind Blows landed in Group Three in France for the weekend.
He’s also had success at Goodwood, boosting his chances of staying, and has some encouragement from his bloodline because he’s related to Leger Masked Marvel winner.
With the coach title to be decided next month, a win here would be a huge boost for Charlie Appleby. Lots of people to beat.
Zechariah
Andrea Atzeni; Freddie & Martyn Meade
Crucified by Eldar Eldarov in the Queen’s Vase as he looks certain to gather close to the final fire. Connections believe he was below par after those efforts at the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, the lines suggest just as much.
Returning to his best form breaking the record in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes in Newbury doing it all, the same test was won by Leger’s Sixth Technician in 2019.
The last two Leger winners to take part in the Newbury test were the Silver Cardinal in 1999 and the Sixties Icon in 2008.
A talented stayer who doesn’t mind the rain – remember he beat Westover comfortably from good to soft at just two years old – he looks like he has to at least struggle to win the place money, especially if he is allowed to stride on .
Partly owned by a group of Aussies, he will also likely descend later on. Much respected, especially since he has almost twice the odds of his competitor Eldar Eldarov.
Emily Dickinson
TBC; Aidan O’Brien
Finished fourth on the Irish Oaks and showed her still good with third place in the Lily Langtry race over a mile and six at Goodwood.
However, her record of one win from seven starts speaks for itself, and she has a lot of work to do here.
Haskoy
Frankie Dettori; Ralph Beckett
A welcome addition to the competition after she was added for £50,000.
Undefeated in the two starting games, she rallied full match to land the Galtres Stakes at York last time, continuing strong on the far rails to get close to the finish line, after winning her debut at Wolverhampton. As the least experienced member of the lineup, she needs to improve further on herself and there’s clearly a lot of stamina in her pedigree.
The Ralph Beckett team won this with a couple of years ago in Simple Verse. An attractive opponent.
Lizzie Jean
TBC; Ivan Furtado
What a race to launch your turf!
It was great to see Ivan Furtado with the Classics runner-up and although she improved to a good win over Tapeta at Southwell last time around, this is a huge step up in class.
Mike Cattermole’s Grand Race Verdict
NEW LONDON have excellent qualifications and are sure to deliver the best performance in the race. His trial win went very well and there is an optimism derived from his pedigree that he will stay on the trip.
Eldar Eldarov and Zechariah went head-to-head in Ascot, but it was Zachariah who came in after a better (and record-breaking) run last time around and almost double the price of his rival Ascot.
Hoo Ya Mal will also be there to throw money at the venue, with Haskoy very much like the black horse of the field.
Watch Cazoo St Leger live from Doncaster on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday, September 10 at 3:30pm