Derby runner-up Kingston Hill is likely to run in the Ladbrokes St Leger without the aid of another run after his late withdrawal from the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
Roger Varian left the decision as late as possible but after walking the course with owner Paul Smith, connections took the tough decision to pull their horse out.
He will now head for the Doncaster Classic on September 13th without a run since he finished fourth in the Eclipse at Sandown on July 5th.
"I walked the course before racing and my gut feeling was it was too quick," said Varian.
"It's been an agonising decision. We were very keen to run and it's not ideal to make a decision like this so late.
"It's very likely we'll go straight to the Leger now.
"It would have been lovely to get that run into him but that's not going to happen.
"It's very frustrating, but going off feedback of the lads who rode him and how he ran in the Derby you'd have to be hopeful he'll stay (the Leger trip)."
