William Haggas issues warning about St Leger for Gordon winner Merchant - plus Richmond scorer Coppull set Group 1 target

William Haggas warned the Betfred St Leger is an unlikely target for Merchant after his rapidly progressive colt completed a hat-trick in the HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes.

A flag start due to 25mm of rain and the unsuitably slow ground conditions — the going was changed to heavy immediately after the race — did not prevent Merchant from striking on his first start in Group company.

The Highclere-owned son of Teofilo demonstrated great tenacity to chase down Wimbledon Hawkeye and beat that rival by a nose after he was switched from the stands’ rail by Tom Marquand.

Merchant was cut to 10-1 (from 16) by William Hill for the St Leger after landing the £200,000 Group 3 before the same firm swiftly shortened him again to 6-1 for the Doncaster Classic.

However, Haggas is drawing on his experience from two years ago with Desert Hero, who Merchant emulated by following up success in the King George V Stakes with victory in the Gordon.

Desert Hero finished third in the 2023 St Leger and was gelded before being beaten on his next four starts. Haggas said: “My gut feeling is no to the St Leger because I don't think it did Desert Hero much good long term. The Leger is a great race but it's a hard race.

“We had planned if we won here to go to the Voltigeur but he's had a race today, so he'll need at least ten days going very quietly before we decide what to do. He's pretty smart.”

Merchant only got off the mark in a Wolverhampton novice last December and was beaten off a rating of 82 when sent off the 11-10 favourite on his handicap debut at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting.

Success on Dante day at York followed before he beat Irish Derby runner-up Serious Contender by a length at Royal Ascot.

The regard in which Haggas holds the €135,000 yearling purchase was evidenced by the fact he entered him in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and a belated first try at Group 1 level could come in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe if he is supplemented at a cost of €120,000.

"He's not in the Arc but he can be,” said Haggas. “I think he's a really nice horse and the conditions weren't perfect for him today. What I really like is his brain. When he walked back in he didn't give a monkey's.

"The Arc is not certain to happen but it's not certain not to happen. We see him as next year's horse as well.”

Wimbledon Hawkeye was making his tenth consecutive appearance in Group company and his trainer James Owen said: "He keeps improving and appreciated the little bit of dig in the ground.

“We were just unlucky on the day and a progressive horse has come and mugged us.”

Coppull collects

Coppull proved his 66-1 third in the Coventry Stakes was no fluke when providing trainer Clive Cox with his first winner at the track since September 2022.

The son of Bated Breath beat 14 rivals to make a successful debut at Leicester in April under David Probert and the same rider steered him to a two-length victory over Puerto Rico in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes.

Coppull (red): wins the Richmond StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

“When he ran so well at Ascot we felt that Goodwood would suit him,” said Cox. “I really was worried about the rain coming too soon and we’ve literally timed it to perfection.”

A tilt at the highest level in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 27 is on the agenda for Coppull after his comfortable win at 5-1.

Winner for Wattel

Group 1-winning trainer Stephane Wattel enjoyed a first turf success in Britain when Wathnan Racing's Best Secret justified 7-2 favouritism in the 1m2f handicap.

The James Doyle-ridden three-year-old defied a 5lb rise for finishing third in the Golden Gates Stakes to supply the Deauville-based Wattel with a second victory in Britain.

Burke relief

Karl Burke had already seen four favourites beaten at Glorious Goodwood before Aylin was sent off the 11-4 market leader for the 7f fillies’ maiden.

However, the David Egan-ridden daughter of St Mark's Basilica made no mistake and is likely to return to this track for the Group 3 Virgin Bet Prestige Fillies’ Stakes on August 24 after her two-and-three-quarter-length success.

Hat-trick hero

Sir Albert completed a hat-trick in the 7f nursery under Oisin Murphy. The Andrew Balding-trained colt prevailed by a neck from the fast-finishing Spinning Lizzie, whose rider Kieran Shoemark gained some compensation when winning the closing mile handicap on the Harry Eustace-trained Principality.

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