Roger Varian reiterated the ground must be suitable for Ladbrokes St Leger favourite Kingston Hill to take his chance in the Classic on Saturday.
The Derby runner-up has drifted slightly in the betting as the sun has continued to beat down on Town Moor for the first two days of the meeting, with connections of the colt warning that the going must be in his favour if he is to participate.
Although there is no further rain forecast, Varian is hoping the ground does not get any quicker over the next two days.
Speaking from Doncaster the Newmarket handler said: “I’ll be here on Saturday and nothing’s changed. If I’m happy with the ground conditions, I’ll run and if I’m not, I won’t.
“I’ll walk the course and if I’m happy, we’re going to run. I’ve said we’re participating on good ground.
“We want to run – the likelihood is we’re going to run – but we want to be running on decent ground. If I’m happy with the ground I’ll run. I can’t be more clear than that.”
Longer trip
Kingston Hill’s run in the Derby gave every indication the colt will stay the extra distance in the St Leger, said Varian.
“The longer trip is an unknown but his run at Epsom is a good pointer that he will stay. From his inside draw we had to ride him forcefully early on and then he was coming back at Australia at the line.
“On that evidence it looks like another couple of furlongs will not be a problem and he is a very relaxed horse which will help. So I would be pretty hopeful that he will stay.”
Kingston Hill – if he runs – will face 13 rivals in the world’s oldest Classic, including Aidan O’Brien’s Granddukeoftuscany, who will be ridden by Colm O’Donoghue..
John Gosden has a terrific record in the race and has three contenders.
William Buick has chosen Derby third Romsdal, with Frankie Dettori on Forever Now and the Robert Havlin-ridden Marzocco making up the team.
Mark Johnston has three chances in Alex My Boy, Eclipse third Somewhat and Royal Ascot winner Hartnell, the pick of stable jockey Joe Fanning.
Sir Michael Stoute runs two headed by Great Voltigeur runner-up Snow Sky, who will be ridden by James Doyle and Kings Fete, who won a York handicap earlier in the year and will have the assistance of Ryan Moore. Richard Hannon looks for another Classic with Windshear
Odeon, Scotland and Min Alemarat complete the field.
Ladbrokes St Leger — sponsors bet: 5-2, Kingston Hill, 5-1 Snow Sky, 6-1 Romsdal, 8-1 Windshear, 12-1 King’s Fete, 14-1 Hartnell, Scotland, 16-1 Alex My Boy, Forever Now, 20-1 Granddukeoftuscany, 25-1 Marzocco, 33-1 Min Alemarat, Somewhat, 40-1 Odeon
