Racing

Frankie Dettori opts to ride Coronet over Stradivarius in St Leger

Capri (Ryan Moore) spearheads a four-strong challenge trained by Aidan O’Brien

Frankie Dettori: has already won the St Leger five times in a glorious career. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Thu Sep 14 2017 - 19:42

Frankie Dettori has elected to ride Coronet over better-fancied stablemate Stradivarius in the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.

Trainer John Gosden has four Leger wins to Dettori’s five and is again expected to play a leading role on Town Moor, with Coronet, last time finishing second to the yard’s brilliant Enable in the Yorkshire Oaks, joined by Royal Ascot winner Stradivarius.

James Doyle comes in for the ride on Stradivarius, who followed up his Queen’s Vase success at the Royal meeting with victory over Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup.

Capri (Ryan Moore) spearheads a four-strong team trained by Aidan O’Brien, whose string comprises of Venice Beach (Seamie Heffernan), Douglas Macarthur (Emmet McNamara) and The Anvil (Michael Hussey).

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A grey son of Galileo, Capri took the coveted scalp of Cracksman in the Irish Derby but missed his intended prep race in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month after suffering a slight setback.

The Ballydoyle handler goes to Doncaster in search of a fifth success in the world’s oldest Classic.

In contrast, O’Brien’s son, Joseph, saddles Rekindling just four years after steering Leading Light to Leger glory as a jockey.

Sir Michael Stoute has a leading contender in Crystal Ocean, who warmed up for his big day with victory in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Roger Varian has a fascinating candidate in the progressive Defoe, winner of all his four starts this season, while Brian Meehan is expecting a big run from Bahrain Trophy scorer Raheen House.

Count Octave, trained by Andrew Balding, completes the line-up.

The two withdrawals at the 48-hour final declaration stage were Abyssinian and Air Supremacy, both from the O’Brien stable.

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