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St Leger: King George favourite Westover heads 27 entries for Doncaster Classic

Ralph Beckett's star three-year-old heads the market for the King George on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing; Emily Upjohn is another who features this weekend and could also at Doncaster; watch the St Leger in September, live on Sky Sports Racing

Jockey Colin Keane (left) and trainer Ralph Beckett celebrate after winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with horse Westover during day two of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival at Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland. Picture date: Saturday June 25, 2022.
Image: Jockey Colin Keane (left) and trainer Ralph Beckett celebrate after winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with Westover

Westover and Emily Upjohn, the market leaders for this weekend's King George at Ascot, head 27 entries for the Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster on September 10.

Ralph Beckett's Westover shot to the head of the betting for the final Classic of the season when he was a fast-finishing third in the Derby at Epsom and that position was strengthened when waltzing away with the Irish equivalent.

Emily Upjohn suffered misfortune in the Oaks at Epsom as she stumbled coming out of the stalls and then lost out in a photo finish to Tuesday.

Westover (pink cap) chases home Derby winner Desert Crown at Epsom
Image: Westover (pink cap) chases home Derby winner Desert Crown at Epsom

She was supposed to run in the Irish Oaks last weekend but travel problems scuppered that plan. She is trained by John and Thady Gosden who have also entered the unbeaten Francesco Clemente.

Aidan O'Brien has entered nine in Aikhal, Anchorage, Bluegrass, Martinstown, Point Lonsdale, United Nations, Waterville, Emily Dickinson and Changingoftheguard.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained Grand Alliance finished second to the last-named horse in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and is all set for Goodwood's Gordon Stakes next week after recovering from post-race soreness.

Tuesday and Ryan Moore nose out Emily Upjohn and Frankie Dettori in the Oaks
Image: Tuesday and Ryan Moore nose out Emily Upjohn and Frankie Dettori in the Oaks

"He seems in very good order, he's training very well. Interestingly the physio had a look at him after Ascot and he was really quite sore," said Fellowes.

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"Since treating him he's been better. I might be looking at it with rose-tinted glasses and we won't find that out until he goes to the track, but he seems a very happy horse at the moment.

"He's probably going to go for the Gordon next week, down to timing more than anything. I think he needs time between his races and there's only three weeks between the Voltigeur at York and the Leger.

Watch the King George on Sky Sports Racing
Watch the King George on Sky Sports Racing

Don't miss the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes from Ascot on Saturday 23 July on Sky Sports Racing

"I don't think ground is an issue, I think he's versatile. I always felt he'd be better with some cut, but he's never run on that and has run very well on quick ground. It was like a road at Ascot, so it's nice not to have to watch the forecast."

Charlie Appleby has entered Al Nafir, Hafit, New London and Secret State while others to note include George Boughey's new inmate Hoo Ya Mal, who finished second in the Derby, El Bodegon and Eldar Eldarov.

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