Defoe's rider Andrea Atzeni is 2 for 2 in St Leger
– Professionals talk about tomorrow’s St Leger as being “the most open in years” but when punters are trying to solve the puzzle of the world’s oldest classic the best solution has been to row in with Andrea Atzeni.
The Sardinian jockey, who rides DEFOE, is very much the king around Doncaster - he confessed that as soon as he steps on the famous Town Moor racecourse he feels like the Incredible Hulk.
“It’s amazing, but I can seem to do no wrong around there,” observed Atzeni, who has won on both his previous rides in this prestigious race and also has four Group 1 Racing Post Trophies on his CV.
Defoe, unbeaten in four races this season, is stepping up in grade, but he is the improver and, unlike leading rivals Crystal Ocean and Stradivarius, he will enjoy the rain-softened ground.
Capri, off the track since capturing the Irish Derby in June, and Stradivarius are the class horses, having both already collected at the top table, but Crystal Ocean is not far behind them on form, having progressed to win at Glorious Goodwood.
John Gosden, four times the St Leger hero, cannot split Stradivarius and Coronet, but the filly has the better finishing kick and could prove the Eachway value.
However, Atzeni has ridden both Crystal Ocean and Stradivarius previously, and he feels that in Defoe he is sitting on another potential Doncaster celebration.