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Ryan Moore In Demand For 2014 St Leger

3 minute read

Ladbrokes St Leger connections were bidding for Ryan Moore's services with a double-figure field looking almost guaranteed for the Doncaster Classic

Ryan Moore
Ryan Moore Picture: Racing and Sports

Khalid Abdullah's two Sir Michael Stoute-trained colts, Snow Sky and Kings Fete, are both set to take their chance and the all-conquering jockey should partner the latter with the owner's retained rider James Doyle expected to discard him in favour of second-favourite Snow Sky.

But Aidan O'Brien admitted Joseph O'Brien will be needed at Leopardstown for the start of Irish Champions Weekend and he has not yet announced a pilot for Granddukeoftuscany.

John Gosden is planning for his trio - Forever Now, Romsdal and Marzocco - to all line up, while Moore has also been offered the potential mount on either Alex My Boy or Somewhat, with Joe Fanning almost certain to be aboard the third of Mark Johnston's contenders, Hartnell.

Stoute won his only Leger back in 2008 with Conduit and Snow Sky trades at 5-1 with the sponsors behind 5-2 favourite Kingston Hill after winning the Gordon Stakes and running second to Postponed in the Great Voltigeur.

Kings Fete, meanwhile, has looked hard to handle when placed in a Goodwood handicap and Listed race.

Teddy Grimthorpe, the owner's racing manager, confirmed both would run.

"Kings Fete worked his way on to the scene on Saturday morning and Michael and the Prince were keen for him to take his chance," he said.

"James Doyle will have the choice, I would imagine he'll go for Snow Sky, it's entirely up to him. I hope an up-and-coming jockey, Ryan Moore, will ride the other."

Johnston has had three thirds from seven previous Leger runners and success for a Yorkshire-based trainer would be popular on Town Moor.

His wife, Deirdre, said: "I think at the moment, if the ground is good, all three are planning to run.

"Hartnell goes on any ground, he'd prefer it slightly softer, and that's the same for Alex My Boy. If it's faster than good, he won't run, and if it's good to soft, or softer, then Somewhat wouldn't run.

"At the moment, Joe has the pick and I think he'll side with Hartnell. We've spoken to Ryan Moore, and we're waiting to see if he will be required by Khalid Abdullah. We have to see what we'll do if all three run."

Four-time winner O'Brien is down to just one probable starter, Voltigeur fifth Granddukeoftuscany.

He said: "Probably only Granddukeoftuscany (will run). Kingfisher will probably go to Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes)."

Asked about a jockey, he said: "He has to do a little piece of work tomorrow, and we'll cross that bridge then."

But asked if his son Joseph could make the meeting, he said: "I doubt it, we've a big day at Leopardstown."

Roger Varian was thrilled to see 14mm of rain fall at Doncaster over the weekend, with the course's managing director Mark Spincer reporting the going to be currently good to soft with a favourable forecast for the next few days.

The trainer had to miss the Voltigeur, as his Derby runner-up Kingston Hill does need some give in the ground.

"He's in good form and we're planning to run," said Varian.

"It was great to get a drop of rain as it was a very dry forecast, but at this time of year, with the longer nights and the dew, hopefully the ground will stay there.

"Andrea (Atzeni) will ride, as he has ridden him through all his career."

Gosden, who has had four winners of the race since 1996, was sales shopping at Keeneland but checked into a Leger preview lunch by telephone.

"They're in good order, I was pleased with them on Saturday and it's all systems go," he said.

"I'll talk to William Buick and see which way he wants to go (in terms of riding)."

With 15 horses declared, all the remaining hopefuls in the field are also likely to take their chances.

James Given confirmed Voltigeur third Odeon and Richard Hannon did the same for Gordon runner-up Windshear.

Andrew Balding said he was "hoping Jim Crowley" will ride Scotland, while Marco Botti was pleased to see the rain for Min Alemarat, the mount of Martin Harley.


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