HEAD PLANNING CROSS-CHANNEL LADBROKES ST LEGER RAID

 

An outstanding renewal of the £500,000 Group One Ladbrokes St Leger is on the horizon after an exciting 36-strong entry for the world’s oldest Classic was revealed today, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.

 

Chief among the talented entries for the extended mile and three quarters contest at Doncaster on Saturday, September 10, are the proven Classic winners Blue Bunting (10/1 with race sponsor Ladbrokes) and Treasure Beach (8/1), as well as the highly-rated Nathaniel (4/1 favourite) who was supplemented for Saturday’s Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot at a cost of £75,000.

 

Another with the Ladbrokes St Leger on his radar is Aloeil from the Chantilly stable of Freddy Head. The colt could attempt to become the first French-trained victor since Toulon 20 years ago.

 

Aloeil, a 50/1 chance with Ladbrokes, has scored twice at Saint-Cloud this year, winning an 11-furlong maiden in May and most recently when taking the Prix Sea Bird conditions race over a mile and a half on June 26. He carries the famous blue and white silks of the Wertheimer Brothers, owners of the star miler Goldikova.

 

Head revealed today: “Aloeil is a progressive three-year-old. He just won a race over a mile and a half and he was quite impressive on that occasion. I think he will stay further and with age he could even be better. If we think he is good enough, we would like to go to the Ladbrokes St Leger.

 

“He is running on Saturday in Vichy (Listed Prix Frederic De Legrange - 12 furlongs) and after that we will see what we do with him. He has to improve but I hope he can, so we will see what he does through the summer and decide where we go later.

 

“I think the longer the better for him, so we could see him improve when we run him over further.

 

“I would love to go to Doncaster and try and win a race like the Ladbrokes St Leger.”

 

Six French-trained horses have triumphed in the Town Moor Classic and the most recent contender from across the English Channel was Vertical Speed, runner-up to Silver Patriarch in 1997.

Blue Bunting is one of four entries for Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni. The filly triumphed in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas over a mile at Newmarket in May and added to her Classic haul with success in the 12-furlong Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on  July 17.

 

Al Zarooni could also saddle Group One Racing Post Trophy hero Casamento, Genius Beast and French Navy, while fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, five times a St Leger winner with Classic Cliche (1995), Nedawi (1998), Mutafaweq (1999), Rule Of Law (2004) and Mastery (2009), has engaged recent Leicester maiden winner Laatafreet.

 

Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has entered Irish Derby hero Treasure Beach among 10 entries as he bids for a fourth Ladbrokes St Leger, having landed the prize with Milan (2001), Brian Boru (2003) and Scorpion (2005).

 

Also among the Ballydoyle contingent is Seville, runner-up to Treasure Beach in the Irish Derby before finishing two places in front of his stablemate when second to Meandre in the Group One Grand Prix de Paris on July 14.

 

The O’Brien-trained Wonder Of Wonders was runner-up to Dancing Rain in the Investec Oaks at Epsom in June and was Classic placed once again when a close third to Blue Bunting in the Darley Irish Oaks.

 

The remainder from that stable are Admiral Of The Red, Apache, Freedom, Marksmanship, Memphis Tennessee, Monte Carlo and Regent Street.

 

John Gosden is also seeking a fourth Ladbrokes St Leger victory to follow Shantou (1996), Lucarno (2007) and last year’s hero, Arctic Cosmos. The Newmarket handler has engaged impressive Group Two King Edward VII Stakes winner Nathaniel alongside Group Three Bahrain Trophy victor Masked Marvel, promising maiden Thimaar and the smart Buthelezi.

 

Sir Henry Cecil last landed the Ladbrokes St Leger in 1989 when Michelozzo gave him a fourth success. The Master Of Warren Place had previously triumphed with Light Cavalry (1980), Oh So Sharp (1985) and Reference Point (1987), and he has entered the lightly-raced but clearly talented filly Wild Coco, as well as Solar Sky.

 

The last named was runner-up to the Mark Johnston-trained Namibian in the Group Three Queen’s Vase over two miles at Royal Ascot. Johnston’s four entries also include Group Three Lingfield Derby Trial winner Dordogne, Queen’s Vase third Eternal Heart and Sadler’s Risk. 

 

Manchester United and England footballer Michael Owen is seeking a first Classic victory with the Tom Dascombe-trained Brown Panther. The homebred colt defeated the Richard Hannon-trained Census (2nd) and Well Sharp (3rd) from the Michael Dods yard to win the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot and then finished fifth in the Group One German Derby on July 3.