RYAN Moore revealed it was the prevailing soft ground that influenced his decision to choose Doctor Fremantle over Conduit in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster tomorrow.
The 2006 champion jockey finally made up on his mind after putting both horses through their paces yesterday. "I rode them both this morning and they both felt great and I didn't make up my mind until about 8.30am," he said. "It's a nice position to
be in to have the choice of two good horses and I suppose the ground made a difference to my choice."
Moore has yet to win a British Classic although he went close when runner-up on Tartan Bearer in the Vodafone Derby this summer. On that occasion he discarded Doctor Fremantle, who finished fourth.
The horse he rejected is a plum spare ride for Frankie Dettori, who has lifted the St Leger four times, and the popular Italian is happy to be on Conduit. I wouldn't want to swap him for anything else," he said.
Both horses, plus third string Warringah, are trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who has yet to win the St Leger despite tasting success in the other four British Classics. Moore's decision has seen further support for Doctor Fremantle and the Chester Vase winner is 7-1 now from 10-1 with both Ladbrokes and totesport.
Johnny Murtagh is also after his first Leger triumph and the Irish ace will ride ante-post favourite Frozen Fire.
LADBROKES ST LEGER
Sponsors' latest odds: 9-4 Frozen Fire, 4-1 Look Here, 7-1 Conduit, Doctor Fremantle, 8-1 Alessandro Volta, Unsung Heroine, 12-1 Top Lock, 25-1 Washington Irving, 33-1 bar.
The full article contains 286 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
