'Forget Chester blip' - Appleby banking on fresh New London to shine in St Leger

Cazoo St Leger Stakes (Group 1) | 1m6½f | 3yo colts and fillies | ITV4/SKY

Godolphin and Charlie Appleby started this season with a Classic bang thanks to Coroebus in the 2,000 Guineas, but his death in the Moulin last week and Newmarket second Native Trail's underwhelming efforts since may have taken some gloss off of the campaign.

However, in St Leger favourite New London, the royal blue operation has a red-hot chance of being back in the big time.

Considered a Derby hope at one point, he was disappointing in the Chester Vase, but won Goodwood's Gordon Stakes in convincing fashion last time out.

Appleby, successful in the St Leger with Hurricane Lane last term, said: "We are not lacking confidence with the trip.

"The only blip he's had was in the Chester Vase and I don't think it was the trip and the ground. He'd run a good, solid race on his first start at the Craven meeting and it was just three weeks later - he's best fresh.

"That's why I've not run him since the Gordon, I've always said we wanted to come into this fresh."

Haskoy 'certain to stay'

Listed York winner Haskoy is unbeaten in her two starts and has done enough to convince connections to supplement her for £50,000.

The Juddmonte-owned homebred is trained by Ralph Beckett, who said: "I can't ever remember having a filly who has been capable of doing what she's done in such a short time. She didn't even arrive here until the last week in May as she was very immature."

Haskoy: filly defied inexperience to register victory at York last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

The last filly to win the St Leger was 2015 heroine Simple Verse, who was also trained by Beckett.

Speaking as part of a promotion for the Qipco British Champions Series, he said: "I can't remember having a filly with enough natural awareness to do what she did at York on just her second start. She'd never even been on grass before, except for stalls practice at home.

"I'd be surprised if she didn't get the trip, as she's by Golden Horn out of a Nathaniel mare who ran in the Oaks, so the pedigree is all stamina."

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Eldar Eldarov
I think it's going to be a stamina test as they had more rain after racing there on Thursday and the jockeys riding there were saying it was on the soft side of good to soft. We haven't had drying conditions since, but he has proven stamina and I think he'll be okay on the ground as he'd prefer it soft than firm. He won on soft at Nottingham last year, but he's not run on it since. He goes there in good form and with a decent shout.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of French Claim
He's in great form. He's trained very well since the Irish Derby. I think he'll love the track and the trip, and the rain that's fallen will only be a help to him. He's settled in well and I'm really looking forward to the race.

Giavellotto's trainer Marco BottiCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Marco Botti, trainer of Giavellotto
He's progressed really well with each run and stays strongly. On ratings he's got a few pounds to find, but as long as the ground doesn't get heavy it should be fine. He's not a complete outsider and we always thought he'd be a Group horse.

George Boughey, trainer of Hoo Ya Mal
I'm delighted with his condition and couldn't be happier. I don't think easier ground will be a problem, although it looked like it was getting pretty choppy at the end of racing on Thursday. Having two days off might mean it's fresher, so there are no excuses. I think his form is pretty good and we were not far behind the favourite New London in the Gordon Stakes when Ryan [Moore] lost his stick. It's a different trip now and I was delighted with that run, but Ryan thought he could have run better. He's better physically now and mentally he's come forward as well.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Emily Dickinson
She seems to be in good form and we were happy with her last run at Goodwood. That was over a similar distance to this race and it looked like she was seeing the trip out fine there.

Ivan Furtado, trainer of Lizzie Jean
We know how big the step up in grade is, but she's a lovely filly who has done nothing wrong and we think she's pretty good. She won't disgrace herself and I think the ground should be okay. We're convinced she will stay the trip. She's never run on grass, but it's not a concern as she's a good-moving filly. I'll be delighted if she's in the first six, but I wouldn't be surprised if she did a bit better than that.

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