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By Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent
Proprietor Paul Dean has his own ideas, although st Leger week started with some hoo-haa over the honours list of Theresa May.
Sir Ron Priestley, rated a lively contender against Logician, Sir Dragonet along with also co. in apartment racing’s oldest and final traditional race of the year staged at Doncaster, is among a string of horses Dean has appointed after friends to whom he is also awarded’his own sort’ of all knighthood.
The late Mr Priestley was an early client in the gaming store opened in the 1960s by Dean, one of the racehorse owners that had been firmly on the Mark Johnston bandwagon well prior to his prolific operation at Middleham, North Yorkshire became as high profile as it is now.
And speaking 49, Sir Ron Priestley’s jockey Franny Norton, could be part of an equine name-check, if not a long-service gong, was a standing dish in the jockeys’ changing room for years.
A champion boxer who turned down the opportunity to visit the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in order to focus on becoming a jockey, the Scouser, has needed to punch his way into racing’s summit.
A successful apprentice rider, he initially found that the hefty as a fully-fledged rider, however a later teaming up with Johnston, who saddles outsider Nayef Road, has proved a revelation.
But though Norton’s ridden in 2 stagings of the 1,000 Guineas and in the 2014 St Leger in 3 Vintage races – he’s never been successful at the sport’s highest Group One degree.
Maybe Sir Ron Priestley may fill that CV void in the St Leger on Saturday.
Norton said:”We have not got to the bottom of him, and he’s always dug deep for me.
“We all know exactly what Logician and the others are attracted to the table, but we also know what we’re bringing to the table also, above all, if there’s any chinks in their armour Sir Ron can find them since he is tough and he’s brave.
“The three in front of him in the gambling, are they really that bombproof? I’m really positive and I will be providing my horse all of the positive vibes.”
With Norton being the senior jockey – only ahead of Frankie Dettori – and having ridden his first winner May 1989 before most of his rivals were born, a victory at this level would be widely acclaimed.
While admitting it could be a”great story”, he insists he is philosophical about what might or might not happen.
“If Franny Norton finishes his racing career, and he didn’t ride a Group One winner, then would I lose any sleep? No I won’t,” he said.
“Should Franny Norton wins a Group One race along with a Classic, does this make it better? No it does not. Will it place my livelihood up further? No, since I will be finished in a few decades anyway.
“But you’re right it’d be a great story – folks like a rollercoaster, and that’s what I have needed – so, yes it’d be great.”
Up to eight runners are due to lineup from the St Leger, first staged four years in 1776 before the Epsom Derby.
The area commissioned by Dettori is led by the Logician, a son of winner Frankel and trained by John Gosden.
Dettori, who is searching for his sixth St Leger victory – compared to Gosden for whom success could be number five – said:”He’s still learning, however, he struck the line well [at the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in August], and that is going to bring him further.”
The Dettori/Gosden access has been more like a juggernaut in important prizes during the summer – and much more to come, especially Permit in October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris – but the Irish-based Aidan O’Brien team has been in almost equally formidable form.
Because of this, O’Brien and Gosden are effectively neck and neck at the prize-money-decided British coaches’ championship – that continues till 31 December – however although Gosden retains a #300,000-plus guide, the #700,000 online at Doncaster, with benefits down to sixth place, could simply make all the difference.
Sir Dragonet, that shot to prominence if running away with all the Chester Vase in May before finishing down the field from the Epsom Derby, is best fancied of a three-strong O’Brien challenge as the County Tipperary coach goes to get a third win in 3 years, seven total.
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