The Godolphin runner New London was all the rage in the betting ahead of the 2022 edition of the race, with the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi having caught the eye with an impressive success in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Undoubtedly classy, would he handle the two-and-a-half length step up in trip?
Next in line came Roger Varian’s Eldar Eldarov, who did boast a win at just shy of the distance to his name, but was looking to bounce back from a disappointing outing in France. Haskoy, meanwhile, was the big unknown quantity in the race, having been stepped up into Classic company on only her third career start, whilst Epsom Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal added further intrigue to what looked like a cracking contest.
Result
- 1st – Eldar Eldarov 9/2, Jockey: David Egan, Trainer: Roger Varian
- 2nd – New London 11/8F, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 3rd – Giavellotto 28/1, Jockey: Neil Callan, Trainer: Marco Botti
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £445,740.60
- 2nd – £168,990
- 3rd – £84,573.60
- 4th – £42,129.60
- 5th – £21,143.40
- 6th – £10,611
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £5.50
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.70, 2nd – £1.30, 3rd – £4.20
- Exacta – £12.30
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £10.42
- Trifecta – £154.20
- Tricast – £142.04
Recap
Irish raider French Claim set out to make the running, aiming to expose any chinks in the stamina of his rivals. The rest of the field seemed content to play a waiting game before the race really began in earnest in the straight.
Haskoy was the first to take it up and led as they hit the furlong pole. New London briefly threatened but could find only the one pace, whilst Giavellotto struggled for room up the rail. In the end, it was Eldar Eldarov who picked up best of all, sweeping home down the outside to pull two lengths clear of Haskoy as they hit the line.
Eldar Eldarov in first, Haskoy second, and New London third was the finishing order as they passed the post. However, following a lengthy stewards’ enquiry, it was deemed that the inexperienced Haskoy had caused significant interference in the straight, resulting in the Ralph Becket runner being demoted to fourth.
The race was a fine return to form for Eldar Eldarov, who handed Roger Varian a second St Leger success following the win of Kingston Hill in 2014. For jockey David Egan, this was a first career Classic success.
Runners
- 1. Eldar Eldarov – SP: 9/2 , Trainer: Roger Varian, Jockey: David Egan
- 2. El Habeeb – SP: 150/1, Trainer: Kevin Philippart De Foy, Jockey: P J McDonald
- 3. French Claim – SP: 250/1, Trainer: Paddy Twomey, Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
- 4. Giavellotto – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Marco Botti, Jockey: Neil Callan
- 5. Hoo Ya Mal – SP: 15/2, Trainer: George Boughey, Jockey: David Probert
- 6. New London – SP: 11/8F, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 7. Emily Dickinson – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 8. Haskoy – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- 9. Lizzie Jean – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Ivan Furtado, Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Non Runners
All Ran