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AROD’S READY FOR WOODBINE

I’M not riding in Britain today because I have managed to secure the ride aboard Arod in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes in Canada.

It is a great opportunity for me, as I have never ridden over there and as I haven’t picked up any other rides on the night I’ll be able to soak up some of the atmosphere.

Obviously I know the form of runners such as Deauville, Dutch Connection, Mondialiste and Lancaster Bomber, and even Long On Value who I know from Dubai.

Passed

As for Arod, he ran fifth in this race 12 months ago but since then a lot of water has passed under the bridge.

Having been trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam the son of Teofilo went to Chris Waller in Australia, where he was second twice in Group Three handicaps.

His last few runs were not the best, and he hasn’t been seen out since April.

I rode at Salisbury yesterday where I caught up with his trainer David Simcock, so we’ll just have to see. He certainly has the form to run well.

The action at Doncaster today is excellent and the William Hill St Leger is a strong race.

As regular readers will know, I have thought for a long time Defoe warrants a place in the final Classic of the season. I have ridden him to two of his four wins this season and he has a lot of boxes ticked.

He will definitely see out the trip and should have no problem with the likely good to soft ground.

Having won over 10 furlongs this season he does have more gears than you think. I also love his attitude and he is very genuine.

The only question remains is whether he is classy enough, which we will find out after the race.

I was third to Crystal Ocean in the Gordon Stakes aboard Mount Moriah, who went on to be third to Order Of St George in the Irish St Leger last Sunday.

Manner

We were beaten a long way by Order Of St George, but it was the manner with which Crystal Ocean won at Glorious Goodwood that really impressed me.

If anybody was to offer me a ride in the race I would have to choose Crystal Ocean.