O'Brien masses forces in quest for Crown and Classic sweep

 

There is more for the history books at stake in this year's St Leger than a possible Triple Crown winner, the 16th in all and the first since Nijinsky in 1970. Yes, the 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot is odds-on favourite to complete his set at Doncaster in September. But victory would also make his trainer Aidan O'Brien the first of his profession to win all five English Classics in the same year.

O'Brien, perfectly mindful of the frailty of the thoroughbred, is taking no chances with his own record attempt. As well as Camelot, he has 10 other charges among yesterday's 36 entries for the Town Moor test, including the Grand Prix de Paris winner, Imperial Monarch.

But take that one and Camelot out of the equation and the quality of the Ballydoyle contingent rather tails off. And the presence of the superstar notwithstanding, other stables are not fighting shy of the challenge.

The three who followed Camelot home at Epsom – Main Sequence, Astrology and Thought Worthy – are there. The last-named's trainer John Gosden, who has won the last two St Legers, can field a trio perceived as better than the Derby fourth in Great Heavens, whose Irish Oaks victory on Sunday took her to second favouritism, Michelangelo and Shantaram.

Ryan Moore drew 10 clear of Richard Hughes in the race for the jockeys' title with a four-timer at Lingfield yesterday afternoon. Moore rode a further two winners at Sandown last night, without reply from Hughes.

Turf account

Chris McGrath's Nap

Mysterious Man (2.30 Sandown) Has run into some decent performers en route to his maiden win and there should be more to come with the step up to today's longer trip.

Next best

Perfect Step (7.50 Doncaster) Had a tough task against a smart sort last time and looks most feasibly treated to find compensation.

Where the money's going

Kaldoun Kingdom was the punters' choice yesterday, cut to 14-1 for Saturday's Sky Bet Dash at York.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: Look each way for value in The Cote D’Azur Open

With the top nine players in the men’s world tennis rankings all missing this tournament to prepare ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: We could have been on the tour of Siberia over past 72 hours

When cyclists look back on their careers spanning many hundreds (and in some cases possibly thousand...

by Martin Ayres

Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)

As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...

by Alex Miller

       
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

Career Services
iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

SAP SD Consultant

£475 - £476 per day + negotiable: Progressive Recruitment: SAP SD Contract Con...

Maths Teacher- Reading

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...

Science Teacher- Reading

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...

Special Needs Teacher in Lewisham South London

£27000 - £55000 per annum: Randstad Education London: Supply special education...

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in