CENSUS HAS CLASSIC PREP IN FREER

Census has caught the eye of many experienced observers as a potential Group One Ladbrokes St Leger hero and the Richard Hannon-trained colt will head to Newbury on Saturday for his final prep race before advancing to Doncaster for the £500,000 Classic over an extended mile and three quarters on Saturday, September 10.

The progressive Cacique colt has improved for each of his three races so far this season. He followed a Newbury handicap win with second to Brown Panther in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot and then another runner-up finish behind the John Gosden-trained Masked Marvel in the Group Three Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket on July 7.

Census, who runs for the Beeswing syndicate of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing that includes Liz Hurley, had been entered in another Ladbrokes St Leger trial, next week's Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, but was taken out at the six-day stage in favour of a tilt at Newbury's Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes on August 13.

Alex Smith of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing revealed today: "The Ladbrokes St Leger is very much the plan for Census and we are running in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes on Saturday because Richard Hannon felt that it was important to get another run into the horse before the Leger but wanted to stay closer to home - Newbury is just down the road.

"The horse is in great form and worked very well this morning. He is a horse who needed experience. We felt he was improving with every run and will improve again. We think he is a highly progressive animal who is going places, so we are very excited about his chances on Saturday.

"He will definitely benefit from the extra distance at Doncaster in September and the St Leger was always the plan after Newmarket, but Richard was keen to get another run in before the big race."

Posted in: News