Aidan O’Brien has elevated the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes with the addition of Irish Derby winner Los Angeles. Despite losing his unbeaten record to stablemate City Of Troy in the Derby, Los Angeles enhanced his reputation with his Curragh Classic win and is now a leading contender for the St Leger at Doncaster.
O’Brien has decided to supplement Los Angeles for this race, despite the penalty, and he will also saddle Illinois and Euphoric. The performance at York could influence future plans, with Los Angeles entering in various top races, including the Leger and potentially races over longer distances.
“We felt this was the right race for him,” O’Brien said. “He has many options ahead, including the Leger, longer distances, or even returning to a mile and a quarter. Illinois, who won the Queen’s Vase at Ascot and ran well in France, is also in the race.”
King’s Gambit poses a strong challenge. After unlucky performances in the Hampton Court Stakes and the York Stakes, trainer Harry Charlton is hopeful for a change in fortune. “He’s shown promise but hasn’t won recently. The slow pace at York didn’t suit him, but he was relaxed and showed he can handle 12 furlongs,” Charlton said.
Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile, targeting the Leger since his fourth at Epsom, and William Haggas’ Space Legend, who was disappointing in the Bahrain Trophy but previously progressive, add to the intrigue of the race.