Appleby Confident on Hurricane Lane's St. Leger Trip

Charlie Appleby has described Hurricane Lane  as the "class horse" in the Cazoo St. Leger Stakes (G1) field with the Godolphin trainer strong in the belief his colt will stay the extra trip.

Following group 1 victories in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) and Grand Prix de Paris (G1), Hurricane Lane carries arguably the loftiest profile into the world's oldest Classic since Camelot narrowly failed to complete the Triple Crown in 2012.

A son of Frankel , who sired Leger winner Logician two years ago, Hurricane Lane has suffered defeat only once in six starts and that came when third in the Cazoo Derby (G1) when he was undone by a lack of experience and also lost two shoes.

Godolphin are seeking a seventh St. Leger success with Hurricane Lane, and Appleby, who has yet to win the Doncaster Classic, believes the likely odds-on favorite possesses the right attributes for the 1 mile 6 1/2 furlong contest.

"Will they stay the extra two furlongs? Obviously, it's the big question for all of them. In his case, I think he will," the trainer said.

"He goes into the Leger with rock-solid form. We feel there is enough evidence there to say he will stay. He's the class horse in the field.

"After traveling to Ireland and France, he's mentally stronger and more mature, and he is ready for this."

Four Shots at Classic History For O'Brien

Aidan O'Brien will be out on his own as the most successful trainer in British Classics history should one of his four runners claim St Leger glory.

Snowfall 's victory in the Cazoo Oaks (G1) in June put O'Brien level on 40 wins with John Scott, who had set the bar for 158 years.

The Ballydoyle maestro has won the St. Leger six times, which is some way short of Scott's record 16 wins, and shuffled his pack earlier this week by supplementing High Definition  at a cost of £50,000.

The mount of Frankie Dettori with Ryan Moore riding at Leopardstown, High Definition was the long-time favorite for the Cazoo Derby, but did not make it to Epsom after finishing third in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2) at York.

Having disappointed on his last two starts in the Irish Derby and Sky Bet Great Voltigeur (G2), High Definition will wear first-time cheekpieces for his first try at a trip beyond 1 mile 4 furlongs.

"The season hasn't gone right for High Definition so far," said O'Brien. "Obviously little things have happened and he hasn't shown his true form on the track as of yet. He stumbled early in the Irish Derby and maybe lost his confidence a little after that.

"He had a little rest after that and went to York. He's done very well physically for that. He looks like a horse who will stay further."

O'Brien snapped up Hollie Doyle for her first ride in the St. Leger on Interpretation , who is unbeaten in three starts this season and proven at the trip, with James Doyle on John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (G3) runner-up Sir Lucan  and Wayne Lordan riding Great Voltigeur second The Mediterranean .

O'Brien added: "Interpretation has been progressing with every run and got the trip lovely at Leopardstown last time. He's a lovely, uncomplicated, and tough horse. 

"The Mediterranean is progressing with every run, too, and ran well at York the last day. Sir Lucan also ran well at York and is interesting going up in trip."