Queen's Vase winner Eldar Eldarov will be suited by St Leger test says Varian

Roger Varian reckons the Cazoo St Leger is an open race, bar New London, and believes Eldar Eldarov has as good a chance as any apart from the hot favourite.

Varian's Queen's Vase winner is "in great form" – despite not having raced since finishing fourth in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in July.

The lightly-raced colt is a best-priced 7-1 second favourite for the final British Classic of the season in a Doncaster market dominated by Godolphin's Gordon Stakes winner New London, who is odds-on.

"New London looks pretty good, but it's a Classic and you're going to find good horses," Varian said. "He's a deserving favourite but it's quite an open race with him out of the equation.

"You've got to look at Eldar Eldarov as a contender and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

Varian won the Leger with Kingston Hill in 2014 and Eldar Eldarov will be just his second runner since, after future Group 1 winner Defoe's tenth place five years ago.

"Eldar Eldarov seems in great form," he said. "We've got a fortnight to go and he's doing everything he should do. It was very hot in France, it was very firm ground and a very long trip and I didn't think he needed a prep run.

"He's only had three races this year but he won his novice and he won the Queen's Vase at Ascot, a race that is one of the best trials for the Leger. You might have questioned the form at the time but the runner-up Zechariah has come out and won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes very well.

"He certainly didn't disgrace himself in the Grand Prix de Paris, it was just a bit too much of a speed test for him. He'll be well suited by going back up in trip for the Leger."

Read more on the 2022 St Leger:

2022 St Leger: who is in contention for the season's final Classic at Doncaster?

New London favourite for St Leger after convincing Gordon Stakes success

'Our ultimate target' - Newbury course record breaker set for St Leger bid

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