Racing News: One of the 13 horses still in the running for the Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster next month is a hot favourite New London.
On his most recent outing, Charlie Appleby’s colt won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood for the fourth time in five attempts, easily defeating Great Voltigeur winner Deauville Legend.
And with notable scratches for the previously unbeaten Francesco Clemente, King Edward VII Stakes winner Changingoftheguard, and Irish Derby champion Westover, New London is the favourite to win the season’s last Classic on September 10.
Secret State, who came in second to Deauville Legend when attempting to win five straight races at York last week, might also be ridden by Appleby, who won St. Leger with Hurricane Lane last year.
Five competitors remain, including Anchorage, Bluegrass, United Nations, Waterville, and Emily Dickinson, trained by six-time Leger winner Aidan O’Brien.
Eldar Eldarov, who has been given a break after losing his unbeaten streak in the Grand Prix de Paris in July, is expected to represent Roger Varian, who was successful in 2014 with Kingston Hill. Zechariah, who recently won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, appears to be a likely runner for Freddie and Martyn Meade.
Hoo Ya Mal, who finished third in the Gordon Stakes and finished second in the Derby, is currently in the care of George Boughey. Ivan Furtado’s filly Lizzie Jean and the Marco Botti-trained Giavellotto, who bolted up in a Newmarket handicap on his most recent outing, round out the prospective field.
Botti said: “We know it’s a big jump from a handicap to St Leger, but that is the plan.
“He’s a horse who has done nothing wrong and has kept improving. It has just taken a while for the penny to drop, but he was impressive at Newmarket and stays well.
“As long as the horse is fine we’ll take our chance. Obviously, it’s a classic and you expect it’s going to be a really tough race, but I think he probably deserves to take his chance and we’ll see how he goes.”
Coral spokesperson David Stevens said: “With a maximum of 12 possible rivals to beat at Town Moor next month, the betting suggests New London has the season’s final Classic at his mercy now.”
However, there is still a chance that the Leger field can grow further as trainers will have the opportunity to add horses on September 5 for a fee of £50,000.
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