St Leger Tips: Haskoy can upset New London

One of the oldest and most famous races in the world of flat racing takes place on Sunday at Doncaster, the St Leger. New London has topped the antepost markets for some time and will undoubtedly be sent off favourite for Appleby, Buick and Godolphin, but Billy Grimshaw is siding with one down the market to upset the jolly...

William Buick in particular has had a phenomenal season so far and the champion jockey elect is well placed to land the final Classic of the season in the St Leger where he rides favourite New London. After disappointing in a Derby trial at Chester behind Changingoftheguard he has bounced back with some high quality performances at both Newmarket and in particular Goodwood. His Goodwood win in the Gordon Stakes looks even better now with horses in behind him such as Deauville Legend and Hoo Yah Mal franking the form next times out. On pedigree there's no reason this trip won't suit and he is definitely a worthy favourite.

With the anticipated rain over the weekend, however, at even money or shorter there is just enough doubt regarding the ground for me to take him on at the prices. Hoo Yah Mal has proved there was no fluke about his Derby second but will surely struggle to turn the form around with the favourite, while Eldar Eldarov looks tailormade for this Leger test on his Queen's Vase win at the Royal Meeting so is certainly not one to dismiss. He did disappoint last time out at Longchamp but this test should suit him more and he could give New London a big headache.

The one that has caught my eye and I think is worth each-way support as I believe she has a big place chance and a solid win chance to boot is HASKOY. She has been supplemented by connections and the daughter of Golden Horn looked seriously talented last time out, after blowing the start at York she still somehow managed to win under a marvellous Ryan Moore ride. The margin of victory was just a neck but she was by far the best horse in the race and if her issues at the starting gates have been ironed out by Ralph Beckett she can be Juddmonte's latest Leger winner after the brilliant Logician snared the prize back in 2020.

Emily Dickinson is another filly in the field and she has run creditably this season without ever looking up to the standard of a Leger winner, while Giavellotto and Lizzie Jean bring excellent handicap form to the table but will need a serious step up here to trouble the main protagonists. French Claim was of some interest after his front running third in the Irish Derby, a race in which he was done for speed not stamina. He is the likely pace in the race and could attempt to steal it from the front so shouldn't be dismissed, but it is Haskoy who I am with to take home the Leger.