You’d have to go back to 1792 to find a winner of the St Leger that was a maiden prior to the coveted staying contest, but Richard Hannon believes Alderman has the ability to figure.
The Study Of Man colt had moderate form in his first two starts, prior to his second to subsequent 11-length winner Water To Wine. Ambitiously, he was pitched into the Epsom Derby but outran his huge odds to finish fifth.
He finished ahead of Group 1 winners, but couldn’t quite match that form back in class at Newmarket. The ground was lively enough there though, and Hannon believes on a softer surface he can bounce back.
Speaking to the Press Association, via At The Races, Richard Hannon said: “The ground was simply too quick in the Bahrain Trophy. He is a big, strong, heavy mature horse. He just found the ground a little too quick and came back a little bit jarred up afterwards.
Alderman is a similar model to Hannon’s Mojo Star, who was a runner-up as a maiden in the 2021 Derby. He filled that spot again in the St Leger, with only a Newbury maiden to his name.
With the dry summer causing havoc for many, Hannon was keen to give his promising colt a break. He noted: “We have given him a nice break and got him back in good form at home. If it is a washout, anything could happen. It looked like it might have happened in the Derby. He really could not have run any better.”
Alderman to give Julie Wood a ‘belated birthday present’
Having already exceeded expectations, Alderman owes connections nothing. Owner Julie Wood has been a huge supporter of the Hannon for over 25 years. Success was hard to come by initially, until Paradise’s valuable success in the Newbury Super Sprint for Richard Senior.
More recently, she had success with the consistent Classic in the Coral Challenge, also a winner at Newbury this season.
Seeking to give his loyal owner further glory, Hannon said: “That run at Epsom came on Julie Wood’s birthday. So hopefully, fingers crossed about the weather, the horse can give her a bit of excitement. And a belated birthday present again on Saturday.”
Alderman will face 11 rivals on Saturday, including Derby winner Christmas Day. Pierre Bonnard was two places behind Alderman at Epsom, and is a single figure chance. Rebel Rocker was also behind Alderman, and soft ground will likely benefit his chances at long odds.