St Leger analysis: 'He put everything into it and looked tired on pulling up'

There is every reason to believe this was a strong edition of the race, with the winner the most high-profile horse to run since Triple Crown seeker Camelot (finished second) in 2012 and the one to chase him home filling the same place as he had done at huge odds in the Derby, when one place ahead of the winner, back in June. The pace was fair and even.

Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster: full result and race replay

Hurricane Lane

Hurricane Lane stood out as much the likeliest winner, having gone on to land both the Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris since blatantly struggling to cope with Epsom (also lost both front shoes) in the Derby, when one place behind Mojo Star, and with his dam being a 2m winner there was always a strong chance he'd stay this far. The rain that had fallen on Friday played into his hands and, having travelled best, he quickly put the race to bed as his old rival could only look in second, providing Godolphin with a seventh win in this historic race. This will almost certainly be the only time we see him running beyond 1m4f – he put everything into it and looked tired on pulling up – but the Arc will surely come under consideration nonetheless (Paddy Power trimmed him to 6-1 from 7s), where he could join Derby-winning stablemate Adayar and bid to become the first ever to do the St Leger-Arc double. In the debate as to who is the best of the pair, this fella is undoubtedly leader in the clubhouse.

Race report: Hurricane Lane blows Classic rivals away with stunning St Leger display

Hurricane Lane: may not be seen over 1m6f againCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mojo Star

Mojo Star has well and truly shown his 50-1 Derby second, when still a maiden, to be no fluke. Short of room and badly hampered in the Irish Derby, he moved through this like a quality colt and simply lacked the acceleration of the winner. A fine-looking son of Sea The Stars, who seems likely to get better with age, his trainer was speaking of exploring the Ascot Gold Cup route next season, but that seems premature, and there's little doubt he has the ability to win races at the top level over middle-distances.

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean, over seven lengths behind the winner in the Grand Prix de Paris and runner-up in the Great Voltigeur, was the outsider of the Ballydoyle trio, but fared best, making quite good headway on the inside and sticking on well. He's a strong-galloping sort who could make a Cup horse next term.

The Mediterranean (pictured) and stablemate Interpretation could make up into Cup horses next seasonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Interpretation

Interpretation didn't reappear until June, when winning his maiden, and earned himself a crack at this with a hard-fought Listed win over Fernando Vichi at Leopardstown last month. He again went off in front, but was readily brushed aside by a pair of far superior rivals. He's from a good family and is another who could develop into a Cup type in 2022.

Youth Spirit

Youth Spirit couldn't quite match Voltigeur form with The Mediterranean, the extra distance not suiting him as well as his old rival. Well adrift of the front pair in the Derby as well, he's a likeable sort, but shy of Group 1 level – in this country anyway.

Scope

Scope would have reversed Voltiguer form with Youth Spirit but for an awkward start and then slight interference early in the straight that saw him left with a ton to do. Ironically, given his name, he lacks the scope to make it at this level.

Saturday reaction: Hurricane was awesome but he has plenty to overcome in Arc

Fernando Vichi

Fernando Vichi was predictably outclassed, with the trip also looking an issue.

Sir Lucan

Sir Lucan had looked just the sort for this when winning at Navan in May and good efforts in Gordon Stakes, when second to Ottoman Emperor, and Voltigeur, finishing fourth just behind The Mediterranean and Youth Spirit in the first-time cheekpieces, backed that impression up. He never got out of the rear, though, and clearly failed to give his running.

High Definition

High Definition, supplemented at a cost of £50,000, added another disappointing effort to what has quickly become an unattractive CV. Going beyond 1m4f, in first-time cheekpieces with Dettori aboard seemed to add some real hope he could belatedly build on the promise of his 2yo efforts, along with May's Dante third, but he quickly headed backwards once pressure was applied. Whether there's an underlying problem or not, there has to be a strong chance this is the last time he'll be seen on a racecourse.

Ottoman Emperor (pictured), Sir Lucan and High Definition all ran disappointingly at DoncasterCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Ottoman Emperor

Ottoman Emperor boasted a most progressive profile and had beaten Sir Lucan in the Gordon Stakes. Like that one, however, he failed to pick up out of the rear, clearly failing to get anywhere near his best. His trainer reported he failed to stay the trip in the ground, which he opined was riding on the tacky side.

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What they said

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Hurricane Lane
We mooted after the Grand Prix de Paris that potentially we might look towards an Arc. We know it's never been done but that doesn't mean it can't be done, that's what I'm a big believer in. Hurricane Lane has gone and won well there. We'll let the dust settle and see how he comes out of it then start to formulate plans. Adayar missed a couple of gallops and missed this weekend but he's back on song and looked great this morning. As it stands at the moment Adayar is the main Arc contender and I'd say we could just be looking towards Hurricane Lane joining him as well. Those are nice conversations to have!

Richard Hannon indicated the Ascot Gold Cup could be the target for Mojo Star next yearCredit: Mark Cranham

Cup campaign on agenda as Mojo Star completes bittersweet Classic double (Members' Club)

Richard Hannon, trainer of Mojo Star
Once we get past the initial disappointment of finishing second, it's a great effort and he's a very good horse. He ran a super race and there were no excuses – that's the worst thing really! He'll get better as he goes further. He'll get two and a half miles in the Ascot Gold Cup and all those staying trips. I'm delighted for Amo Racing, who are an emerging force – he's done them proud. They've had a taste of it and they want more. The winner is an extremely good horse but so are we.

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