RacingBetter News
	Friday 27th August 2021

Hurricane Lane Leger Bound as Adayar Heads For France

The final Classic of the British horse racing season is almost upon us. We’re now just weeks away from the St Leger and the field for the 2021 renewal is starting to take shape.

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin hold the key to this year’s race, with Hurricane Lane and Adayar dominating the betting. Adayar claimed a surprise victory in the 2021 Epsom Derby, before becoming the first Derby winner since the late, great Galileo to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Hurricane Lane has landed two Group Ones since finishing third behind Adayar in the Derby, winning the Irish Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris.

Adayar and Hurricane Lane looks set to clash again in another of horse racing’s biggest events the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and it’s unlikely the stablemates will meet again before Longchamp. Speaking to Blackbook.com.au earlier this month, Appleby revealed which paths his top three-year-olds will take to this year’s Arc.

"As Adayar hasn’t yet done any travelling we are looking at sending him to Paris for the Prix Niel. That will give him experience of travelling but also experience of the Arc track." Appleby said.

“Hurricane Lane has already won at Longchamp, so the likelihood is that he will be trained for the St Leger.”

Following this news, bookmakers ran for cover, slashing Hurricane Lane into odds-on to win the 2021 St Leger. Adayar remains the 7/2 second favourite with most firms.

Leading the charge against Hurricane Lane is Lone Eagle, who finished a close second behind the favourite when they met in the Irish Derby. Johnny Murtagh has saddled his first Royal Ascot and Ebor Festival winners this season, and his first winner at Glorious Goodwood, Ottoman Empire will bid to hand his in-form trainer a first Classic victory.

Alenquer travels to Doncaster on the back of an excellent effort in the Juddmonte International Stakes, and he’d be well suited by this more testing trip. Mojo Star is one of the few horses to have beaten Hurricane Lane this season, having finished ahead of him in the Epsom Derby, and the two could renew rivalries in the St Leger.

Aidan O’Brien has won three of the last eight editions of this Classic. The Ballydoyle raiding party will likely feature The Mediterranean and Sir Lucan, who finished second and fourth in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York. Wordsworth, Interpretation, Sir Lamorak and King Of The Castle could also take up their entries.

Other notable names in the 31-strong list of St Leger entries include Chester Vase winner Youth Spirit and Chester Stakes champion Yesyes. Whether they, or any of the other 30 entrants, will be able to thwart Hurricane Lane is another matter.