Horse Talk with Simon Jackson:

Top horse-racing tips and the latest news.

STABLEMATES Hurricane Lane and Adayar head 31 entries for the £700,000 Cazoo St Leger, at Doncaster on Saturday, September 11. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained duo have been flag-bearers for Godolphin this season; Adayar winning the Cazoo Derby at Epsom from Mojo Star, with Hurricane Lane suffering his first defeat when finishing third.

Hurricane Lane swiftly returned to winning ways when landing the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and following up with victory in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at his most recent start.

Hurricane Lane (9-4) heads the betting for the St Leger – which is contested over an extended 14 furlongs and first run in 1776 – from Adayar (7-2).  

Adayar meanwhile has been kept fresh since the Derby and is set to take on older opposition in the Grade 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Adayar bids to become the first to complete the Epsom Derby-St Leger double since Reference Point – who also won the Ascot feature on route to Doncaster in 1987 – and supply Appleby with his first win in the St Leger. Owners Godolphin have won the St Leger six times, most recently with the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained Encke in 2012. 

The Richard Hannon-trained Mojo Star belied his maiden status to finish a clear second behind Adayar at Epsom Downs and then met trouble in running when fifth in the Irish Derby on his latest start. 

Hannon said: “The St Leger is on the radar for Mojo Star. We have given him the entry and we’ll see how we go. 

“He has come out of Ireland fine and had a little break since then. I am not too sure where he is going to run next, but I am pleased with him.” 

Mojo Star is priced at 12-1 for the St Leger.

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson. Showcasing horse racing in London and the south east.