EXPERT VIEW: Gosden eyes historic St Leger hat trick

TOUGH TARGET: Trainer John Gosden is looking for the first St Leger hat trick in 172 years.

Published on 15/09/2012 09:00

all eyes are certain to be on Camelot but a plethora of top class horses will be vying for the St Leger crown, writes John Kilbride (inset).

Four wins from four starts had singled out Main Sequence as a rapid improver earlier in the season but he has come up short since facing much tougher opposition.

He finished second in last month’s Great Voltigeur at York, traditionally a trial for the Leger, although Encke, Thomas Chippendale and Noble Mission did not really enhance their Leger chances by finishing down the field.

Thought Worthy was the winner that day.

His trainer John Gosden (pictured right) has made the St Leger his specialist subject in recent seasons and attempts the first hat trick in the Classic for 172 years.

His brother Lucarno won the Leger in 2007 and Thought Worthy could follow in his sibling’s hoof prints and be a worthy opponent to the unbeaten Camelot.

Perhaps Guarantee can provide some mileage for those backers wanting an each-way interest in the Leger.

His powerful finish to land the strong renewal of York’s Betfred Melrose Handicap suggests he can at least reach the frame at a tidy price.

We could also see some future stars unearthed on Town Moor over the next few days with top juvenile races the Flying Childers stakes, May Hill Stakes and the mouth watering Champagne stakes on Saturday all featuring during the Leger festival.

However, one of the older horses could also make the headlines as Saddler’s Rock aims to bounce back to form by retaining his crown in the Doncaster Cup on Friday.

Camelot’s bid to emulate the great Nijinsky, however, will quite rightly dominate the build-up to this year’s event.

And, of course, the bookmakers will not be taking any chances!

Enjoy the Leger Festival, enjoy Doncaster!

* Doncaster racing pundit John Kilbride is a broadcaster and media assistant for Betfred.

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EXPERT VIEW: Gosden eyes historic St Leger hat trick

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