Sean Levey Saturday rides blog: 'I think he's still very competitive off his mark'

Sean Levey has shared his latest blog with Ladbrokes' horse racing fans, with the leading jockey previewing his rides on July 5, 2025.

Classic is a very well-bred horse, and Julie [Wood] has always loved this horse, from the moment she got him. He's just proving to be a bit of a tricky customer. I do think he's better than just being a Class 2 horse... the key is just trying to get it out of him. He's run in many a contest and looked unlucky, and that's just the nature of it. You can't say he doesn't have a chance in this race, because he definitely does. The trip is ideal, the ground will be ideal too, and he's got a brilliant draw in two. We'll obviously be hoping to give him plenty of cover, as you need to, and challenge late. Hopefully on this occasion he puts his best foot forward.

It looks a very open race, to be fair. It'll be a matter of whoever gets the rub of the green on the day, I think.

Arctic Grey is a very nice horse and has done absolutely no wrong. He's travelled around the country, picking up his wins and progressing through the handicap. Obviously, he was obligated to run at Ascot as a result, but he was drawn on the wrong side on that day, and things just didn't happen for him. But, look, Ascot is behind us now, he's in very good form at home, and he'll be a massive contender in a race like this.

I'd probably say I'm most looking forward to riding Arctic Grey of my three tomorrow; I want him to run a big race, because naturally I just think he's the best horse of the three, and he's still progressing. That's not to say the other two haven't got massive chances. Antelope is still competitive off his mark, and if he gets the rub of the green, I could see him putting his head in front. And Classic is very much ahead of the game as far as his ability is concerned; it's just a case of whether or not he puts it in on the day.

It took Antelope a very long time to get his head in front. He's a lovely horse, bred by Jeanette McCreery, who obviously bred Billesdon Brook. This is a horse she's always wanted to see put his head in front, and it took a whole year for that to finally happen. But he's definitely found himself very competitive on the turf over a mile and a quarter. Last time out, he ran a massive race, but ran into what you'd arguably say was a very well-handicapped horse in Best Adventure, trained by Andrew Balding, who put him in his place on the day.

But we know he runs well at Sandown, he's got a plump draw in two, which is perfect for the manner in which you have to ride him. And I think he's still very competitive off his mark.

It seems like it's going to be another wide-open race - there's the likelihood of one of them being unexposed with only three runs under its belt, but other than that, I don't think there's a standout here. 

To be honest, on the Eclipse, again I'm going to side with Delacroix - the reason being I really did fancy him for the Derby, and in hindsight maybe I should have paid more attention to the fact there was a possibility he wouldn't stay. Now, he definitely didn't stay in the Derby, but he's dropping back to a mile and a quarter now. You know, everything seems like it would suit him.

He becomes even more appealing for me because the older horses have to give away a hell of a lot of weight in that race. You know, Ombudsman and Sosie both carry 9st-9lb, while Delacroix and the other three-year-olds are only carrying 8st-13lbs. That's a lot of weight to give on a stiff track. There's no doubt Ombudsman is a very good horse, and was exceptional at Ascot. But looking at value, and looking away from the front two in the betting, I think Delacroix could run a big race against them - and then he's got the advantage of the weight allowance too. 

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