Tower Of London

Tower Of London was probably unlucky not to win the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last Thursday. Settled in third place along the rails by Ryan Moore behind a sedate pace that Think First set in front of him – the winner’s finishing speed was 111.55% of overall speed – he had to try to make his ground into a quickening pace and in traffic. He moved out around the weakening leader on the run to the two-furlong marker but, as he did, Saint George moved up on his outside and held him in. He had to switch inside on the run to the furlong marker, but the leader Castle Way was picking up at that point, it was difficult to make ground. He did make ground, but not enough, hitting the line, as he did, a head behind the Godolphin horse.

Not much went right for Aidan O’Brien’s horse here, and he remains a talented and progressive individual. He went into the race with momentum, having won the Listed King George V Cup at Leopardstown in early June and the Ulster Derby at Down Royal later that month. A full-brother to St Leger and Irish Derby winner Capri, the St Leger looks like a good target for Tower Of London now. It appears that he has the requisite stamina for the final Classic, which is obviously a true test, run over an extended 14 furlongs and up Doncaster’s long home straight, where they tend to get racing early. He could take in the Gordon Stakes or the Great Voltigeur Stakes on the way, and he would be of interest in either of both of those races.
Newmarket, 13^th July 2023