Derby Third Westover Might Be Set for St Leger

Westover was thought-about one of many unfortunate losers within the Derby at Epsom earlier this season. Ralph Beckett’s runner didn’t get a transparent passage within the subject, however as soon as he acquired into the open, he powered residence to complete third, just below three lengths behind Desert Crown.

The son of Frankel is now being thought-about for the ultimate British Basic of the season at Doncaster. The additional distance within the race is more likely to swimsuit the colt, primarily based on how strongly he completed his race at Epsom.

Westover might be a part of a powerful subject for the St Leger this 12 months. Final season’s Champion Two-year-old Filly, Inspiral, additionally has an entry. She is ready to make her opening look of 2022 within the Coronation Stakes the place she is +225 within the wager on Royal Ascot odds. There are additionally quite a few Aidan O’Brien runners on the listing, together with Luxembourg who completed third in 2,000 Guineas.

Though Sir Michael Stoute has but to announce his plans for Desert Crown for the remainder of the 12 months, it’s unlikely there will likely be a rematch with Westover at Doncaster. The unbeaten colt is the ante-post favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France, which takes place in October. That’s set to be his major purpose from now till the tip of the marketing campaign.

Beckett has received the St Leger simply as soon as. His sole success got here in 2015 with Easy Verse. He will likely be hoping Westover can observe within the filly’s footsteps. The Lambourn-based coach has opted towards working his horse at Royal Ascot this 12 months, however he does have an entry within the Irish Derby, Eclipse Stakes and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. 

Hornby Says Westover Is a Large Expertise

Westover’s common pilot Rob Hornby spoke very extremely concerning the colt following his defeat at Epsom. He was satisfied his horse would have received the race had he acquired a transparent run within the subject earlier. 

Hornby has described Beckett’s colt as being a “big expertise’. His outing at Epsom was simply the fifth look of his profession. The three-year-old scored on his debut at Sandown final season after which adopted that up with a second-place end at Newbury and Pontefract respectively.

The Juddmonte-owned colt put himself within the combine for the Derby when he prevailed in a trial for the race at Sandown. In what was his first run over 1m2f, he confirmed he had the stamina past one mile to attain within the Group Three contest.

Hornby believes Westover will enhance additional with extra expertise on the observe. If he has a minimum of yet another look on the highest stage earlier than the St Leger, he might be at his finest for the British Basic.

A St Leger victory at Doncaster could be an effective way to achieve compensation for his or her Derby disappointment. It could additionally put him within the combine alongside Desert Crown, Tuesday and Emily Upjohn for being topped because the Champion Three-year-old on the finish of 2022