'We have him in a good place' - Boughey confident in St Leger hope Hoo Ya Mal

Saturday: 3.00 Goodwood
William Hill March Stakes (Group 3) | 1m6f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

Take out Derby second Hoo Ya Mal and the March Stakes would be a credible candidate for the weakest Group contest in memory. On paper this can realistically be considered a one-horse race or a two-horse one, dependent on your view of Perfect Alibi.

Hoo Ya Mal left Andrew Balding after his Epsom placing and was easy to back on his first run for George Boughey in the Gordon Stakes here last time.

While he managed only third over 1m4f that day, it was a respectable effort as Ryan Moore lost his whip just inside the two-furlong pole and that may have cost him second.

St Leger odds-on favourite New London did the business and runner-up Deauville Legend advertised the form by bagging the Great Voltigeur at York next time.

This is being used as a St Leger warm-up for Hoo Ya Mal and if he returns a wide-margin winner the hope is bookmakers take the performance with a pinch of salt. We are dealing with a weak trial and he should be winning comfortably on official figures.

Perfect Alibi is rated 98 and 18lb inferior to Hoo Ya Mal, but is most likely to capitalise if the odds-on favourite falters. William Haggas's runner receives a 3lb fillies' allowance and landed a Newbury handicap in good style last time on her second attempt at a staying trip.

It is also interesting she retains an entry in the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot.

That target would appear to be fanciful at this stage but we have seen this filly only five times and she surely is yet to reach her zenith.

Ignoring her disappointing tenth in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, she is progressing quickly and her last-time-out Racing Post Rating of 105 is not a million miles away from that of a standard March Stakes winner.

There is a speculative case for the 84-rated Animato outrunning his odds as the David O'Meara-trained three-year-old has never tried 1m6f, although it is hard to argue he possesses a staying pedigree.

The final runner, Pink Fire Lilly, represents Irish trainer John O'Neill and is surely angling to sneak some soft black type given her official rating of 64. She has finished well down the field in each of her three starts in lesser company this term.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

March Stakes key stat

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How March Stakes winners have fared in the St Leger since 1990

Boughey seeks ideal test for Hoo Ya Mal's stamina before Leger

A four-runner Group 3 is a decidedly low-key prep for Hoo Ya Mal ahead of what connections hope will be his next two starts, the Cazoo St Leger and the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

But trainer George Boughey believes the March Stakes is another important stepping stone ahead of the final British Classic and his subsequent transfer to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in Australia.

"We do want a lead and we do want a nice pace but it's a funny one because he is stepping up in trip, so I'm not overly worried if it gets a bit messy," said Boughey.

"He's shown speed to be placed in a Derby. He's a horse with a turn of foot and William [Buick] has ridden him two or three times in his work and knows the horse."

Hoo Ya Mal (green hood) chases home Desert Crown in the colours of his former owner chasCredit: Edward Whitaker

Boughey added: "I think the biggest thing we've been trying to do is to get him to relax and if he's going to step forward first time up in a Melbourne Cup, he's going to have to do it the right way round. I'd be pretty hopeful we've got him in a good place to do that."

Perfect Alibi steps back into Pattern company after decent handicap wins either side of a disappointing effort in the Queen's Vase.

William Haggas said: "She's done well going up in trip and I've been very happy with her. I think she's doing very well and I think she’s worth a shot at this.

"Obviously, they've got the favourite but the other two look as though they've got a bit to find even with her."
Reporting by Scott Burton

Saturday previews:

1.50 Goodwood: can Charlie Appleby complete a quickfire hat-trick of juvenile Group-race wins?

2.40 Beverley: 'We've targeted this race' – can Tis Marvellous win the Beverley Bullet again?

3.15 Newmarket: 'He's never had any luck in heritage handicaps, so we're aiming a bit higher'

3.35 Goodwood: 'He has a good chance' – Charlie Hills eyeing glory with unlucky Mutasaabeq

4.15 Curragh: 'He's in the form of his life' - Harrington seeks second Cambridgeshire success

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