Kingston Hill bides time on way to St Leger success

Roger Varian claims first British Classic success at Doncaster

Andrea Atzeni riding Kingston Hill win The Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes at Doncaster. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Andrea Atzeni riding Kingston Hill win The Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes at Doncaster. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Kingston Hill stayed on best of all to lift the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster.

The 9 to 4 favourite had been a doubt for the race due to the ground, but the Derby runner-up was given a fine waiting ride by Andrea Atzeni to deliver both his and trainer Roger Varian's first British Classic.

Just as Epsom third Romsdal moved to strike for Leger specialist John Gosden, Kingston Hill began his charge, and although he brushed past eventual third Snow Sky, he was a length and a quarter on top at the post.

Atzeni said: “I don’t know what to say, it’s a dream really. It’s unbelievable.

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“I rode him like the best horse in the race, he travelled beautifully. He’s so laid-back, he goes to sleep.

“When I pulled him out he was always going to get there. He was just wandering about when he hit the front.”