A total of 19 contenders remain engaged for the final British Classic of 2013, the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday, September, 14, after yesterday's scratchings deadline, details of which are revealed today.
Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien has four three-year-olds going forward headed by Leading Light (4/1 favourite with Ladbrokes), who has not raced since annexing the Group Three Queen's Vase over two miles at Royal Ascot in June.
The son of Montjeu captured the Group Three Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh in May and a conditions event by seven lengths at Navan earlier the same month, both over 10 furlongs.
O'Brien is also responsible for Foundry (7/1), who returned from a 290-day absence to finish second, beaten a length and a quarter, to Telescope in the Group Two Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on August 21.
Eye Of The Storm (14/1), who has not been seen since chasing home Sugar Boy in the Group Three Sandown Classic Trial in April, and Navan maiden scorer Plinth (50/1) complete O'Brien's quartet.
A strong Irish challenge could also include the David Wachman- trained Galileo Rock (5/1), placed in two Classics already. He was third in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs on June 1 and then second in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh four weeks later.
Another Irish hopeful is Dabadiyan (16/1), who completed a hat-trick of victories in Her Majesty's Plate at Down Royal on July 26.
This followed a three and a half-length success in a valuable 12-furlong handicap at the Curragh on June 30 and an eye-catching maiden victory over the same course and distance on June 9 for the Aga Khan-owned son of Zamindar.
Dabadiyan's handler Mick Halford reported: "We have left Dabidiyan in the Ladbrokes St Leger and he will also be left in the Irish St Leger.
"We haven't made a decision yet, but he will have a racecourse gallop nearer the time and then we will make up our mind.
"He has been coming along nicely since his win at Down Royal and I am happy with him.
"He was always a big, scopey horse with loads of potential and is a smashing horse to have anything to do with. He loves good ground, has a wonderful temperament and is very straightforward.
"When he gets to front he thinks that's it and that is normally a sign of a good horse - he would never win by too far.
"He is not slow and has a bit of tow but when we stretch him out over longer trips there should be more improvement."
British champion trainer John Gosden has captured three of the last six Ladbrokes St Legers and could saddle unlucky Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes runner-up Excess Knowledge (5/1)and Group Three Bahrain Trophy scorer Feel Like Dancing (16/1).
Godolphin has a brilliant record in the world's oldest Classic, having enjoyed six successes.
There are three Godolphin contenders remaining including Investec Derby runner-up Libertarian (12/1), trained by Charlie Appleby. He could be joined by Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes victor Cap O'Rushes (20/1), also trained by Appleby,and Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes third Secret Number (16/1), from the stable of Saeed bin Suroor.
Impressive Investec Oaks winner Talent (14/1), from the stable of Ralph Beckett, and the David Elsworth-trained Dashing Star (33/1), who captured the Edinburgh Cup in June, are among the other entries for the Ladbrokes St Leger which is worth a record £600,000 this year.
There is one final chance for horses to be added to the field for the 2013 Ladbrokes St Leger on Monday, September 9, when there is a £45,000 supplementary entry stage.
Latest betting with Ladbrokes: 4/1 Leading Light; 5/1 Excess Knowledge, Galileo Rock; 7/1 Foundry; 12/1 Libertarian; 14/1 Talent, Eye of The Storm; 16/1 Dabadiyan, Secret Number, Feel Like Dancing; 20/1 Cap O'Rushes, Great Hall; 33/1 Dashing Star, Havana Beat; 40/1 Renew, Willie The Whipper; 50/1 London Bridge, Plinth, 66/1 Ralston Road
Each Way 1/4 odds 1-2-3. Non Runner No BetGroup One scorers remain in OLBG Park Stakes
Gordon Lord Byron, trained by Tom Hogan in Ireland, Most Improved from the stable of Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brienand the Fawzi Nass-trained Krypton Factor, whose home base is in Bahrain, are among 41 acceptors for the Group Two OLBG Park Stakes over seven furlongs on Ladbrokes St Leger Day, Saturday, September 14 at Doncaster.
They have all been successful at Group One level and such winners do not have to run under penalties in the OLBG Park Stakes.
O'Brien has also left in exciting US import Darwin in the £100,000 race, while Richard Fahey could run highly-regarded three-year-old Garswood, who landed the Group Two bet365 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood on July 30.
Other notables include Aljamaaheer and Gregorian, who have both captured Group Two contests this season, plus the Edward Lynam-trained pair of Slade Power and Viztoria.
31 acceptors for At The Races Champagne Stakes
Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes hero Sudirman, trained by David Wachman, headlines 31 two-year-olds going forward for the £75,000 Group Two At The Races Champagne Stakes over seven furlongs on Ladbrokes St Leger Day, Saturday, September 14 at Doncaster.
Aidan O'Brien has six possibles headed by Great White Eagle and Group Two Gimcrack Stakes runner-up Wilshire Boulevard, while John Gosden's QIPCO 2000 Guineas favourite Kingman is also engaged.
