CRYSTAL CLEAR
Ocean ready to make a splash for Stoute in St Leger
CRYSTAL OCEAN is fancied to leave his rivals all at sea in the William Hill St Leger (3.35, ITV) at Doncaster today. Master trainer Sir Michael Stoute warned those punters backing the son of Sea The Stars for the Derby that the colt would need more time. And so it proved. Having bypassed Epsom after running third to the ill-fated Permian in York’s Group 2 Dante Stakes in May, my selection again finished third to the same rival in the King Edward VII Stakes – also a Group 2 – at Royal Ascot the following month. But he showed the benefit of
Stoute’s patient approach with a big step forward in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time out. Right at home on the rain-softened turf, Crystal Ocean powered clear to land the St Leger trial by three and a half lengths. Ryan Moore was on board that afternoon, but champion jockey Jim Crowley’s call-up means the well-related bay won’t want for assistance from the saddle. And with further progress likely over the extended one-mile, six-furlong trip, Crystal Ocean has the right credentials to give Stoute a second triumph in the final Classic. Moore partners Capri for Aidan O’brien, also responsible for Douglas Macarthur, The Anvil and Venice Beach, and the Irish Derby hero has to be feared. One-time handicapper Defoe is four from four in 2017 and deserves his shot at the big time, while Coronet, preferred by Frankie Dettori to John Gosden-saddled stablemate Stradivarius, could be the type to thrive for this test. Raheen House and Count Octave have improvement to find, so those seeking an each-way punt should turn to Rekindling, whose defeat by Order Of St George at the Curragh four weeks ago looks good in view of the winner’s Irish St Leger romp last Sunday.