Armchair Jockeys back to preview Camelot’s quest for the Triple Crown

William Haggas, who saddles Guarantee agaist Camelot on Saturday, discusses the different types of headgear that are are used on racehorses in a fascinating interview. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

The Armchair Jockeys are back with their latest programme for BCS TV, previewing the two Ladbrokes St Leger Festival races in the QIPCO British Champions Series, both in the Long Distance division and headed by Camelot’s quest for an historic Triple Crown in Saturday’s Ladbrokes St Leger.

The three expert pundits, Rishi Persad, Lydia Hislop and Steve Mellish, start by looking at the Triple Crown, which requires a horse to win the QIPCO 2000 Guineas over a mile, the Investec Derby over a mile and a half and the Ladbrokes St Leger over an extended mile and three-quarters.

They assess how good the last winner was, Nijinsky way back in 1970, and what Camelot is trying to live up to, followed by a preview of the Ladbrokes St Leger with interviews and expert analysis.

We hear from Aidan O’Brien, who is under no illusion as to how difficult it is to win a Triple Crown, while John Gosden has no doubts about Thought Worthy’s stamina. It’s in the genes – his full-brother, Lucarno, won the Leger in 2007.

Gosden also breaks the news via Armchair Jockeys that Michelangelo is likely to wear blinkers for the first time, a tactic he successfully used with Arctic Cosmos in the 2010 Leger.

William Haggas believes that his contender, Guarantee, has come a long way in a short time, while Tommy Carmody says Ursa Major is improving.

Can’t tell your visor from your cheekpieces? In a special segment, trainer William Haggas talks about the different types of headgear used on horses.

A preview of Friday’s Stobart Doncaster Cup, in which the older stayers will be looking to make their mark, follows with expert analysis and interviews, with John Gosden hoping the dry weather continues for Masked Marvel about whom he is confident he will get the two and a quarter mile trip.

The programme ends with a look at the latest QIPCO British Champions Series standings, in which a very close battle in the Jockey of the Series table is emerging with just five points separating long-time leader Joseph O’Brien and William Buick at the top.

You can watch the programme by clicking here.