Sean Levey Saturday rides blog: 'I think the trip will definitely suit him'

Ladbrokes ambassador Sean Levey previews his four rides at Doncaster on Saturday in his latest blog as he looks to make it back-to-back St Leger triumphs.

• Lambourn - Doncaster - 1.50 race odds

• Chipstead - Doncaster - 2.25 race odds

• Lambourn - Doncaster - 3.40 race odds

• Seeway - Doncaster - 4.15 race odds

Puerto Rico has danced in every big two-year-old race leading up to Saturday, and although he hasn’t won, he’s shown that he’s very consistent and that he’s very versatile as far as ground is concerned. So a track like Doncaster, with the ground that they’re saying they have, shouldn’t be any hindrance to him by any means. 

He’s a decent Class 2 horse who’s been competing in major heritage handicaps. He does look as though his recent best form has been on the all-weather, so there is a question mark over him. But Roger Teal’s been doing very well with his horses, and his yard is in good form, so I’m hopeful that Chipstead takes a step forward.

I think he has a great chance. He’s stepping up in trip for the first time but should be in his comfort zone. Looking at his previous runs, he’s a horse who travels behind the bridle and stays very well – I think it’s fair to say that’s one of his major attributes. And it looks as though the Leger should bring out the best in him.

Seeway is a nice horse by Galiway. He went away to a barrier trial a few weeks ago and went around very nicely. He’s definitely ready to start, and with the benefit of having done a barrier trial, he should be straight enough. I think the trip will definitely suit him, and so will the ground. I’m hopeful he’ll make a nice debut in what looks like a hot maiden.

The three of us – Tom Marquand, Mickael Barzalona and I – knew that we’d be riding in the race for Aidan O’Brien in the St Leger, and then it was up to them to finalise what they thought would suit them and the horses as far as the jockeys were concerned.

I’m happy to have a ride in the race regardless – there’s no doubt about that. It’s an extremely hard race to have a mount in. Look, if you were given the choice, it would be hard to step away from Scandinavia because he’s the favourite. He’s proven over the trip, and not just proven but has shown that he’s exceptional over the trip.

But you cannot deny or overlook the fact that Lambourn is a double Derby winner. To be given the ride on a horse with that sort of a profile is a privilege in itself. He’s stepping up in trip for the first time, so there’s no doubt that he’s there with a massive chance. There’s not much between the two of them in the betting, and rightly so.

It really is privilege rather than pressure to take part in these races. I don’t see the extra pressure. We’re all there to compete and do our best. Aidan documents that better than anyone, and he’s more than happy for anyone and everyone to come over and compete in big races like the St Leger and Irish Champion Stakes because it only brings more depth and enjoyment to the racing.

It’s a race, and I’m there with a winning chance. That’s all that matters really.

Winning last year’s St Leger was a great moment for me. It’s one of the oldest Classics in the world, and there’s no doubt that it’s right up there as one of my favourite wins because it was also my first Group 1 for my old boss, Aidan O’Brien, who I did my apprenticeship for.

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