Twomey on St Leger weather watch for French Claim

Irish Derby third French Claim is set for another shot at Classic glory in next week’s Cazoo St Leger at Doncaster, if conditions are suitable.

Paddy Twomey’s charge looked a smart type when opening his 2022 campaign with a nine-length success at Cork, before finishing third to Stone Age in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown in May.

French Claim duly took his chance in the Curragh Classic and while ultimately no match for Westover after making the early running, he deserved credit for keeping on as he did.

Twomey felt the good ground that day did not play to French Claim’s strengths and should the forecast rain arrive on Town Moor in the coming days, the French Fifteen colt could make the switch up to 14 furlongs in the Group One contest.

The trainer said: “He’s in good form and if the forecast rain falls, he will go to Doncaster for the St Leger. He ran a great race on ground he wouldn’t have been mad about in the Irish Derby. He’s come out of that well, he’s trained well all year.