It was sad to see the Queen’s horse Invictus Spirit fatally injured yesterday, after winning the 4.05 Chester.  The race he won was set up for him by Mayne and Two Bids, who took each other on in the first 4f of the race, both horses early fractions covering the first 5 and a half furlongs in 1 minute. 03.89, which is far too quick.  Paul Hanagan who rode Two Bids, seemed adamant that he was going to make the running, and chased his horse up to try and get the lead in the early stages of the race, David Probert was trying to get his horse Mayne to relax, but had no hope when hassled by Hanagan, who was riding a very strange race.   Invictus Spirit, ridden patiently, picked off the tiring Mayne in the latter stages to score by about 2 Lengths.  Shortly after passing the line, he took a “bad step” and was fatally injured.

Today has some really good races.  The main race is at Doncaster.  The William Hill St Leger Stakes, a Group 1 for 3 year old colts and fillies. Proven stamina is required for this race, ran over 14f and 115 yards.  Unbeaten Logician has everything in his favour as I see it, he will cope ok with the quick ground, stays well, and has the right man on top in Frankie Dettori.  He is short priced favourite, probably because of the ground, which will ride on the fast side, If the ground was on the easy side, Sir Dragonet would be a real threat, and would be closer in price.   He is coming of a disappointing effort, although that was over 10f, which is on the sharp side,  but prior to that his form was really good.  He ran well in the Derby, having looked like winning, until just getting ran out of it in the last furlong, finishing a close fifth, on what was only his third run.  That is good form.  Both him and the favourite Logician did not race at two.  So are still relatively unexposed, and likely improvers, Donacha O’Brian, who rides Sir Dragonet was very bullish about his horses chance when interviewed yesterday. So it should be a good race.

More later.