Emperor commands respect in St Leger

Ottoman Emperor looks decent value against the oddson favourite Hurricane Lane in the Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster tomorrow.

The final Classic of the season is a fascinating affair and appears to revolve around Charlie Appleby’s market leader. He has only lost once in his life, at Epsom in the Derby when third to relatively unfancied stablemate Adayar – who of course proved that was no fluke when beating Mishriff et al in the King George.

Since that defeat, Hurricane Lane has landed the Irish Derby in dramatic style when catching Lone Eagle late on and then looked a different proposition altogether when winning the Grand Prix de Paris in France.

However, it is that display which arguably gives a reason for taking him on – he showed so much speed there that if he truly stays one mile, six furlongs and 115 yards, then he really is something out of the ordinary.

It is not being controver- sial to suggest were it not for Adayar, Hurricane Lane would surely be the stable’s number one Arc hope and the best prep for that is not stretching him out this far at Doncaster.

On the other hand, Ottoman Emperor looks sure to stay given the manner of his Gordon Stakes victory at Goodwood, he is still clearly improving and until his winning streak is ended, we have no idea just how good he might be. At the prices, Johnny Murtagh’s charge looks a value option.

Reach For The Moon will be all the rage in the Champagne Stakes – but he faces a formidable rival in Lusail.

Owned by the Queen, Reach For The Moon is prominent in the betting for next year’s Classics, but even though he is conceding 3lb, Lusail just has a much more solid look to him.

Lusail’s sole defeat came on soft ground so he can be forgiven that. He would not want much rain, but his last two starts have seen him win the July Stakes and the Gimcrack.

The July Stakes form has been franked by runnerup Asymmetric landing the Richmond and going close in the Prix Morny, while conceding 3lb and winning the Gimcrack is a rare occurrence.

Lusail is making hay while the sun shines, but for Reach For The Moon it is probably all about next year.

Roger Varian’s Laneqash was a real eyecatcher on his return to action in the Hungerford Stakes and as long as he avoids the dreaded ‘bounce’ factor, he looks the one to beat in the Cazoo Park Stakes. A smart juvenile, he was second at this meeting last year but having finished last in the Dewhurst, he was not seen again until recently when only Sacred was too good for him.