Watson eyes Classic breakthrough with Brandon Castle in Deutsches St Leger

134th Deutsches St Leger | Group 3 | 1m6f | 3yo+| turf

Trainer Archie Watson has recently enjoyed breakthrough Group success and is eyeing a first Classic strike with Brandon Castle.

Germany's St Leger might not share the same prestige as its Doncaster equivalent but is nonetheless a prize the Lambourn trainer has mapped out for his six-year-old.

Brandon Castle, the mount of Eddy Greatrex, has won six of his 12 starts since joining Watson, who landed Doncaster's Group 2 Flying Childers with Soldier's Call on Friday.

"He's in very good order and he's had a midsummer break because he doesn't want to be running on top of the ground," said Watson on Saturday.

"I hope conditions will be on the soft side and on paper I guess it's not the strongest Group 3, so it's nice to take our chance.

"He got there this morning and is very happy. This looks a good opportunity and one we pinpointed earlier in the summer."

Further British interest is provided by the John Best-trained Eddystone Rock, who will be ridden by Joey Haynes and who raced in Switzerland earlier in the year.

If Greatrex and Haynes need any hints, they can pick the brains of Jack Mitchell, who won the race 12 months ago on Oriental Eagle and rides Oriental Khan for the same trainer-owner combination of Jens Hirschberger and Gestut Auenquelle.

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