Sir Michael Stoute's nine successes is unmatched in Goodwood's G3 Qatar Gordon S. and, though the Newmarket-based trainer's fortunes have fluctuated in recent campaigns, this stepping stone to Doncaster's Sept. 16 G1 St Leger has steadfastly remained his comfort blanket. Conduit (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), one of six Stoute scorers since the turn of the century, secured this en route to 2008 Town Moor glory, a first in that Classic for the Freemason Lodge yard, and he annexed last year's renewal with subsequent G1 Eclipse S. hero and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. runner-up Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). He is represented here by 'TDN Rising Star' and May 18 G2 Dante S. and June 23 G2 King Edward VII S. third Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who is effectively in a duel with John Gosden trainee Khalidi (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) for the Glorious meet's final-day feature. Khalidi, runner-up in Royal Ascot's King Edward VII S., was an also ran in the June 3 G1 Epsom Derby, but has winning course form having annexed the May 26 Listed Cocked Hat S. prior to his Epsom downturn. Remarkably, Gosden has just one previous winner of the race and bids to bridge a 22-year gap since Presenting (GB) (Mtoto {GB}) provided him with his lone success in 1995.
Notwithstanding the pattern of shocks witnessed throughout the week, Ralph Beckett representative Mount Moriah (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) and William Haggas incumbent Across Dubai (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) are the only conceivable flies in the ointment. The gelded Mount Moriah, who by dint of his castration is not St Leger bound, goes postward off the back of three straight handicap scores, most recently going a shade under 14 furlongs at Ascot on July 14, while Across Dubai lines up returning from a July 8 handicap success going an extended 10 panels at Haydock. The latter's trainer William Haggas said, “I'm very concerned about the ground, so we'll have to see what it's like. He's a nice horse and he won very well at Haydock. He's got a bit to find on the figures but we felt he deserved a shot at a better race.” Eve Johnson Houghton trainee Jake's Hill (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) arrives here off a third going just about 10 furlongs in the July 7 Listed Gala S. at Sandown and, though needing to step up markedly on that effort, can be emboldened by a week of form-book turnovers.
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