Lazy Griff not guaranteed to run again before Leger bid

If Lazy Griff runs again before the Betfred St Leger it is likely to be in the Grosser Preis von Berlin.

Charlie Johnston’s charge has finished behind dual Derby winner Lambourn at Chester, Epsom and the Curragh this season and may yet have to come up against him at Doncaster.

His third in the Irish Derby was the opposite of his runner-up finish at Epsom, where he was handy throughout, as this time he was outpaced before flying home to finish third.

“It was quicker ground. William (Buick) jumped to go forward and he just couldn’t go the early pace on that ground,” said Mike Prince of owners Middleham Park Racing.

“He travelled sweetly at Epsom, but he just couldn’t lie up with them and it wasn’t until he hit the rising ground that he absolutely flew home. So the Derby form was upheld, but it happened in a very different way.

“It was a strange race to watch as coming round the bend Lambourn looked in trouble, but I think he fools you as that’s his racing style, he’s just tough and reality has shown he is a very good horse.

“What we do next is an interesting one as obviously the St Leger is his main target for the rest of the season. We’re coming into the height of summer and Charlie reiterated he wouldn’t want to run him on fast ground again.

“He’s in the Grosser Preis von Berlin on August 10 which is normally run on good ground so if we did have a run that would be the most likely as the Great Voltigeur is a bit close to Doncaster. But we’re not adamant that he needs to run again as he’s done Chester, Epsom and the Curragh which is tight enough with three tough races.

“The Leger is definitely his number one target and if he runs before then we’ll see. William said afterwards that his Derby run was no fluke and he’s a proper Group One horse.”