The countdown to the
£600,000 Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster continues with the running of the
Group Two Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on
Wednesday, August 21.
The 12-furlong contest is
one of the leading trials for the Ladbrokes St Leger, with three of the last
six runnings producing the winner of the Doncaster Classic.
It is part of the 'road to
the St Leger series', sponsored by Neptune Investment Management, which also
includes the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and a handicap at York in
June.
There are 16 horses going
forward for this year's Neptune Investment Great Voltigeur Stakes, including
the Roger Varian-trained Mutashaded.
The son of Raven's Pass
was successful on his only start at two, in a heavy ground, mile maiden at
Yarmouth in October, and returned this season with an impressive two and a half
length success in a 10-furlong handicap at Sandown in May.
The three-year-old lost
his unbeaten record when a staying-on third to Hillstar in the Group Two King
Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Varian reported:
"There is a strong possibility Mutashaded will run in the Great Voltigeur
providing we are happy with him over the weekend and leading up to Wednesday.
"He has been grand
since his run at Royal Ascot and has been training nicely. I feel his work has
improved and I am looking forward to running him.
"He is a very
inexperienced horse with not many miles on the clock and I think the lack of
experience definitely caught him out at Royal Ascot.
"It was a big step up
for him that day, but you couldn't help but be pleased with how he ran.
"He is a fine big
horse, who ought to be still improving, and the Voltigeur will determine where
we go in the autumn. He is in the St Leger but a lot would depend on how he
runs on Wednesday."
Mutashaded is a 20/1
chance with race sponsor Ladbrokes for the St Leger, which is run at Doncaster
on Saturday, September 14.
His potential opponents at
York include the Aidan O'Brien-trained Leading Light, who is 4/1
favourite with Ladbrokes for the world's oldest Classic, one time Derby
favourite Telescope and the Godolphin pair of Cap O'Rushes (10/1)and Secret
Number (16/1).
About the
Ladbrokes St Leger Festival
The Ladbrokes St Leger
Festival is the jewel in the crown of horseracing in Yorkshire and the
showpiece of Doncaster's social calendar. Racegoers enjoy a delightful blend of
history, quality racing and live entertainment across the four-day racing
extravaganza. The 2013 renewal takes place from Wednesday, September 11 through
to Saturday, September 14 inclusive.
Since the first running of
the St Leger in 1776, racegoers from all over the country have been drawn to
Doncaster to capture a taste of the unique atmosphere.
The famous Festival is one
of the highlights of the Flat racing calendar. The crescendo builds to
Saturday, when the flagship event - the illustrious Ladbrokes St Leger - takes
centre-stage.
The meeting also features
a number of high-class supporting races, highlights being the Crown Hotel
Bawtry Scarbrough Stakes on The Crown Hotel Bawtry Opening
Day (Wednesday), the DFS Park Hill Stakes on DFS Ladies' Day (Thursday),
the Doncaster Cup on Friday and the At The Races Champagne Stakes and OLBG Park
Stakes on Saturday.
To book tickets, please
contact Doncaster Racecourse on 01302 304230 or go to www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
Doncaster Racecourse's
dedicated Ladbrokes St Leger microsite can be found at www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk/stleger
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