Fourteen For St Leger As Kingfisher Withdrawn

The withdrawal of Aiden O`Brien`s Kingfisher means that fourteen runners go to post in Doncaster`s St. Leger Stakes on Saturday [13th August]. Choosing to instead run Kingfisher in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown also means that O`Brien is represented by a single runner, the somewhat inconsistent Granddukeoftuscany, in Britain`s oldest classic.

With his son Joseph and horse of the moment Australia also part of the Ballydoyle Irish Champion Stakes team, O`Brien looks to Colm O`Donoghue to try to overturn Granddukeoftuscany`s Voltigeur Stakes form. The Mrs John Magnier-owned colt being outpaced in defeat to eventual winner Postponed and Saturday`s rivals Snow Sky, Odeon and Marzocco.

Granddukeoftuscany, who must also prove himself over an extra two furlongs, can currently be backed at best price 25/1 in both Skybet`s and Coral`s anti-post markets.

Kingston Hill, the current 3/1 favourite (betfair) for the Doncaster classic, also faces doubts about his stamina ahead of Saturday`s mile and six furlong ride. Such lack of faith, however, is not shared by Roger Varian who believes the Racing Post Trophy winner will take to the step up in trip.

Speaking to Sporting Life, the Newmarket-based trainer told of his confidence in light of Kingston Hill`s second place Derby finish. `We purposely gave him a break after the Eclipse so that we were not sucked into any of the big summer races like the King George. `We then trained him with the Great Voltigeur in mind and although he didn`t run, he went into the pre-parade ring and did everything but run and the day out will have done him good.`

Varian does though have concerns over the fast ground and is currently locked in a war of words with Doncaster`s managing director Mark Sphincer who told the trainer of their plan`s not to continue watering the course. Should Varian take the risk on the soft ground specialist, jockey Andrea Atzeni will be reunited with the favourite once again after missing his run at Sandown`s Coral Eclipse.

The James Doyle-ridden Snow Sky is second-favourite in the betting at 11/2 with Betvictor, the Sir Michael Stoute colt reportedly looking `in very good order` ahead of the 238th renewal of the ladbrokes sponsored St. Leger. According to the aforementioned publication`s Gallops Report, the Gordon Stakes victor looked in `great form`, powering clear of his lead horse in training. Stoute`s only other runner, King`s Fete was also said to look `on the mettle`. The mount of Ryan Moore can currently be found at 14/1 at a number of bookmakers.

Both Khallid Abdullah-owned contenders are looking to give trainer Stoute his second St. Leger title of his career. The 68-year-old last found the winning formula with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Conduit in 2008. Of all the trainers trying their luck in Saturday`s 3:50, Mark Johnston and John Godsden are the best represented. Johnston of Kingsley Park Racing with Alex My Boy, Hartnell and outsider Somewhat whilst Godsden saddles Forever Now, Marzocco and Derby-placed Romsdal.

Backers of 6/1 chance Romsdal can take confidence from the fact that William Buick, twice St. Leger winning rider, has chosen to continue his association with the horse after riding the colt to third place in the Epsom Derby. Possible pace setter Marzocco is ridden by Roger Havlin for Godsden whilst Dettori takes the reins of 16/1 shot Forever Now who`s looking to frank the form of Goodwood`s Listed March Stakes. Forever Now kept on in the final furlong to see off tough competition from favourite Alex My Boy and Stoute`s King`s Fete, beaten into second and third by a short head and a length, respectively.

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12/09/2014     © Frixo 2026