Makin thrilled to retain St Leger ride on Guarantee

RACING:PHILLIP MAKIN is delighted to have his first ride in a British Classic after more than 10 years in the saddle at Doncaster on Saturday.

The Chesterfield-born rider teams up with market mover Guarantee in the Ladbrokes St Leger and has a 100 per cent record on the William Haggas-trained colt.

Makin, stable jockey to Kevin Ryan, carried the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing colours to victory at Ripon in July and more notably in the Melrose Handicap at York’s Ebor Festival last month.

He is, though, keeping his feet firmly on the ground and regards the occasion as just another race.

“It’s great to have my first ride in a Classic, but having said that it is just another race and it’s just great to keep the ride on this horse,” he said.

“It was a good Melrose this year, which he won well, and it was nice to see that horse of Mark Johnston’s (Sir Graham Wade, down the field in the Melrose) win at Haydock on Saturday.

“It was a decent race at York, but he has to step up. You have to stay the trip in the Leger and I know for a fact he will. That’s one good thing about him.

“It’s nice to be involved and if Camelot happens to win the Triple Crown it would be great for racing.”

Johnny Murtagh has yet to win the St Leger but the Irish jockey is keen on the chances of his mount, the Tommy Carmody-trained Ursa Major.

“I think the track will suit him and he’s a horse we’ve always really liked,” said Murtagh. “It’s obviously a big ask, but this will show us where he fits in.”

Sponsors Ladbrokes reported support for the Tommy Carmody colt and trimmed his price to 16 to 1 from 25s.

“Ursa Major’s likely participation at Doncaster has prompted the latest of the each-way punts to get under way,” said Ladbrokes’ David Williams.

“The rain at Doncaster on the opening day of the meeting will be a plus to the Irish horse’s chances and punters have taken the bait.”