Four For Irish Champion, Ten In The Leger

Ballydoyle's St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) will take on The Aga Khan's Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) and Jim Bolger's Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and just one other in what is certain to be a tactical renewal of Saturday's G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown. As he suggested earlier this month, Aidan O'Brien has taken out all other entries for the 10-furlong contest, which is made up by last year's G3 Meld S. winner Patrick Sarsfield (Fr) (Australia {GB}).

At Doncaster the same afternoon, the G1 Cazoo St Leger will see Godolphin's G1 Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) face nine rivals including Amo Racing's G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Aidan O'Brien has confirmed a quartet including TDN Rising Star High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the unexposed Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who will sport the Peter Brant silks.

Frankie Dettori is on the supplemented High Definition, with Wayne Lordan partnering the G2 Great Voltigeur S. runner-up The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), James Doyle on that race's fourth Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Hollie Doyle aboard the Aug. 12 Listed Vinnie Roe S. winner Interpretation. Having impressed with two prior front-running rides for Ballydoyle including a third in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks on the 150-1 outsider La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), it was no surprise to see Hollie Doyle booked for one of the team's contenders here. “It's a great ride to pick up. He looks highly progressive and is unbeaten this year,” she said. “He's certain to stay and it's my first ride in the Leger and I'm really looking forward to it.”

They help to make up a six-strong Irish representation in the extended 14-furlong Classic, with Johnny Murtagh looking for a breakthrough English Classic success with the G3 Gordon S. winner Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}).

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Hurricane Lane Leads Baker’s Dozen in St Leger

Classic winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is one of 13 confirmed for the G1 Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday. The Godolphin colt, who won the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and the G1 Grand Prix de Paris in June and July respectively, also ran third in the G1 Cazoo Derby for trainer Charlie Appleby.

'TDN Rising Star' High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of six for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien. The 2020 G2 Beresford S. victor was the winter book favourite for the Derby, but has yet to fully live up to that potential this season and exits the G2 Great Voltigeur S. with a sixth on Aug. 18. Second in that York Classic pointer was The Mediterranea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), two better than stablemate Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). The three-for-four Leopardstown listed winner Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and winners Carlisle Bay (Ire) (Gaileo {Ire}), third in a Group 3 at two, and King Of The Castle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) make up the sextet.

Runner-up at Epsom, Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) takes part for Richard Hannon, while Johnny Murtagh sends out G3 Gordon S. hero Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) and Andrew Balding saddles Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), third in the Great Voltigeur. Listed winner and Group 3-placed Fernando Vichi (Ire) (Australia {GB}) represents Donnacha O'Brien. The field is rounded out by Ralph Beckett trainee and listed-placed Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Roger Varian's listed heroine Save A Forest (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who ran fourth in the G1 Cazoo Oaks.

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Hurricane Lane Leads 18 St Leger Nominations

Classic winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris already this summer, will line up for Godolphin in the G1 Cazoo St Leger on Sept. 11, one of 18 colts and fillies left in the fall Classic. G1 Cazoo Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who also races for Godolphin, will not take part, and instead target the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Richard Hannon's Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), one better than Hurricane Lane's third in the Derby and fifth in the Irish equivalent is also signed on. The progressive G3 Gordon S. winner Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) for Johnny Murtagh and Martyn Meade's Irish Derby second Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also remain at the latest forfeit stage. One of two for Andrew Balding is G2 Great Voltigeur third Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

Aidan O'Brien fields an octet at this point for the race, including Sir Lamorak (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), listed winner and G3 Gordon S. second Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and G2 Great Voltigeur runner-up The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

A pair of listed-winning fillies have also stood their ground in Roger Varian's Save A Forest (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Ralph Beckett's Yesyes (GB) (Camelot {GB}).

Murtagh said of Ottoman Emperor, “That is the plan so far–we've had no problems, touch wood. I've not been speaking much to the OTI people [owners] since after Goodwood-[but] the English St Leger is the next stop.

“That last run was good, and the form of that race stood up at York. I think he deserves his chance in the St Leger–whether he stays the mile and six is a question mark, but we'll have to pay to find out.”

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