Doncaster Prepares For Snow

DONCASTER PREPARES FOR SNOW 
With the doubts about the effectiveness of favored Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})–who was midday yesterday confirmed a definite runner by trainer Roger Varian–in today’s G1 Ladbrokes St Leger due to Doncaster’s quickening ground, the way could be open to one of the steady risers and Snow Sky (GB) (Nayef) fits that bill. Since his disappointing effort when eighth behind Kingston Hill in the G1 Racing Post Trophy here in October, Khalid Abdullah’s homebred has crept up the ranks with the kind of stealthy momentum that has marked the records of most of this Classic’s recent winners. Beating Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) in the May 10 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial, he was forced to miss the Derby due to a setback, and after a respectable comeback fourth in the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot June 20 captured the G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood July 30. In that established prep, he had Windshear (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) and Somewhat (Dynaformer) back in second and third before meeting his match when second to Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in York’s G2 Great Voltigeur S. last time Aug. 20. “I was really pleased with him at York and thought he ran a fine race and looked like he’d appreciate a step up in trip,” jockey James Doyle commented. “He was a bit late-maturing mentally–he took his time to really get focused, but I feel everything has clicked into place now. I couldn’t fault him at York, he traveled into the race well and we were probably beaten by a good horse in Postponed on the day.” 
In a renewal lacking a contender with a convincing profile and the usual strong Ballydoyle presence, some imagination is needed, and one who does not require a great deal in that department is Princess Haya of Jordan’s Epsom Derby thirdRomsdal (GB) (Halling). Second after a strong finish in the May 8 G3 Chester Vase, he was 3 1/4 lengths behind Kingston Hill in the June 7 Epsom Classic before finishing a well-beaten seventh in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot when last seen July 26. “I’ll always have a soft spot for the Ladbrokes St Leger because it was the race in which I rode my first British Group 1–and Classic–with Arctic Cosmos back in 2010,” commented jockey William Buick. “I won it again in 2011 with Masked Marvel and after shuffling the cards for 2014, I’ve decided that if I’m going to get a third on Saturday then it’s going to be with Romsdal. I’ve made my decision–I think it’s the right one so here’s hoping.” 
Trainer Mark Johnston is still chasing his first renewal, and Hartnell holds strong claims taking the same route via the Listed Queen’s Vase used by last 
year’s winner Leading Light (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s homebred went from annexing that two-mile Royal Ascot contest June 20 to besting Windshear and the subsequent Listed March S. winnerForever Now (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in Newmarket’s G3 Bahrain Trophy over 13 furlongs July 10. Only sixth in the Voltigeur, he has to rebound, but his trainer’s runners on the Knavesmire have an inexplicably poor record in recent times. 
Windshear looked to have improved from the Bahrain Trophy to the Gordon, where he was caught behind horses and found full stride too late to gather in Snow Sky, and connections are hopeful this extra distance can bring about a reversal of that form. “Windshear has improved as the season has progressed and he was arguably unlucky not to win the Gordon S. at Goodwood last time, a race that has always proved a reliable St Leger trial,” said trainer Richard Hannon. “It looked at Goodwood as if Windshear wanted these extra two and a half furlongs, but, whereas Snow Sky went to York for the Great Voltigeur, our fellow has thrived for what was his first break of the season. He has put on weight and looks great, and–though we have had offers from Australia–we don’t want to lose him as we feel that he is a horse for next year.” 
One of the darker types is Snow Sky’s stable companion Kings Fete (GB) (King’s Best), who was too keen when third in the March behind Forever Now and Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), and Khalid Abdullah’s Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe believes he has the right to be in the line-up. “Kings Fete played himself onto the team when doing a good piece of work last Saturday, which encouraged Sir Michael [Stoute] to have a go,” he said. “He’s always rated him very highly, and although he has more to prove on the track and needs to settle, if he does he’s going to be competitive.” 
Five years ago, Kite Wood (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was narrowly denied here, and his full-brother Odeon (GB) bids to make amends. On the face of it, Alex Owen’s free-running type has much improvement to find to figure, but his latest third in the Voltigeur gives him minor claims. “If he behaves himself and doesn’t waste all that energy beforehand, I’m sure he can find quite a number of lengths and he’s already beaten quite a few horses much shorter in the betting,” his owner said. “He’s progressing well and we’re hopeful he can come good and I really hope he does, for the sake of the yard and all the good people there.”