'I wouldn't swap him' - David Probert relishing Hoo Ya Mal call-up in St Leger

David Probert is relishing the chance to put "the icing on the cake" of a great season when he reunites with Hoo Ya Mal in next weekend's Cazoo St Leger and insists he would not swap his mount for anything else in the race.

Hoo Ya Mal began his career with Andrew Balding and was ridden twice by Probert in that period, latterly to a 150-1 second in the Derby behind Desert Crown, after which he was bought by an Australian syndicate led by Sir Owen Glenn for £1.2 million.

Probert is relishing the chance to get back aboard the now George Boughey-trained three-year-old, who finished third to ante-post St Leger favourite New London in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

"It's great to have the opportunity getting back on him," said Probert. "It was obviously a massive run in the Derby and I know him quite well from when he was at Andrew Balding's yard.

"To be reunited with him is a big opportunity for me, he'd have a great chance. He looked like he saw out the trip well in his run at Goodwood last time and I'm really excited to get back on him."

David Probert: 'I wouldn't swap him for anyone else and I'm really looking forward to it'Credit: Bill Selwyn (Getty Images)

Probert has won a pair of Group 2 races this season, taking his total to eight, but is yet to crack the top level despite several near misses, and when asked whether this was his best chance yet, he was decisive in his answer.

"Most definitely," said Probert. "He's shown that he can be competitive at a high level and he looks like he relaxes much better in his races. The way he switched off at Goodwood suggests Doncaster shouldn't be a problem.

"There should be plenty of pace on, he stays really well and it's a big opportunity for me. I wouldn't swap him for anyone else in the race and I'm really looking forward to it."

Hoo Ya Mal kept himself on the Melbourne Cup trail with an authoritative win in the March Stakes last month and is a general 16-1 for Australia's biggest race, while he is available at 8-1 in the St Leger market.

Probert posted a career-best tally of 169 winners in 2021 but has already surpassed last year's prize-money haul and is hoping his Melbourne Cup-bound partner can elevate his strong season even further.

He added: "It's been a great year for me, I had a great winter that's rolled into a very good season with plenty of Group winners. I'm yet to get that Group 1 winner, but getting on a horse like Hoo Ya Mal would put the icing on the cake."

Cazoo St Leger Stakes (3.33 Doncaster, September 10)

bet365: 8-11 New London, 6 Eldar Eldarov, 8 Hoo Ya Mal, Secret State, 11 Zechariah, 14 United Nations, 20 bar

Adayar entered at Doncaster

Last year's Derby hero Adayar could return to action on the second day of the St Leger meeting.

The four-year-old has not been seen since finishing fifth in last season's Champion Stakes after a bout of coughing delayed his 2022 campaign, with several proposed targets including the Coronation Cup, Prince of Wales's Stakes and the King George coming and going without sight of the son of Frankel.

However, Charlie Appleby suggested in July that Adayar "had got his own spark back" and the 1m2f Doncaster Conditions Stakes (4.20) appears to be a viable option as he features among the entries for Thursday's contest.

Adayar is entered in several big autumn contests including the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (fourth last year) and the Qipco Champion Stakes.

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