7 Remain In Ladbrokes St Leger

Saturday´s £450,000 Ladbrokes St Leger is all set to be a high-class affair following yesterday´s five-day confirmation, which sees seven entries going forward for the world´s oldest classic.

Heading the list of acceptors is the ante-post favourite Scorpion, trained by dual Ladbrokes St Leger-winning handler Aidan O´Brien and runner-up to Hurricane Run in the Irish Derby. On his last start on July 14, he was the impressive winner of the Group One Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, registering a record time in the process. He could well be joined by his stable companion Avalon, the subject of good ante-post support, who will only be having the third outing of his career following a win in a maiden at the Curragh and an eye-catching third in York´s Great Voltigeur Stakes last month.

The Great Voltigeur Stakes itself was won by Hard Top, who will be bidding to fill the one of the very few gaps in the CV of his trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who has had five runners-up in the Group One contest.

Speaking yesterday on At The Races, the master of Freemason Lodge, revealed: 'The Ladbrokes St Leger isn´t the only race to be missing from my CV, but it is the only classic that´s missing.

'In the past, we have been beaten on merit, with possible exception of Quiff last year, who couldn´t get out when she wanted to be going and the ground was also quick enough for her.'

Stoute talked about Hard Top´s chances on Saturday: 'Hard Top had one start at the back end of last year at Newmarket when he was fifth to Proclamation, which pleased me a lot.

'We had some niggles with him in the spring time - he was coughing, had an allergy and was just wasn´t quite right. He then went to Lingfield and won his maiden very cosily.

'After that, we threw him in at the deep end in the Great Voltigeur and he acquitted himself really well for a horse that had only had two previous runs.

'He didn´t have a very good preparation in the spring time just through circumstances in that he wasn´t ready to be trained. So he comes into the Ladbrokes St Leger as a pretty fresh horse with just three runs.

'But he also lacks a bit of experience. York was a blessing in disguise as he had a good, tough battle and was trapped on the fence for a while. So he may be sharp enough mentally having had that experience.

'I think that Scorpion is a worthy favourite and may be a very good colt - I would have very healthy respect for him.

'The trip should be no problem for Hard Top as he is a typical staying type bred by Balymacoll Stud. He is pretty good over a mile and half and should certainly get the trip, but I don´t see any problems with Scorpion getting the trip either.'

21- year-old Ryan Moore takes over from Mick Kinane on Hard Top on Saturday but this is not something that concerns Stoute.: 'Ryan rode this horse when he won at Lingfield and has ridden him at home so knows him well.'

The other acceptors for the Ladbrokes St Leger include The Geezer, impressive winner of the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood before finishing runner-up to Hard Top in the Great Voltigeur Stakes last time out. He will be bidding to provide a first British classic success for his trainer David Elsworth.

John Dunlop, seeking his fourth win in the Ladbrokes St Leger, has left in both Kong, successful in the Lingfield Derby Trial and fourth in the Great Voltigeur last time as well as Tawqeet, who steps up in class having taken the Melrose Handicap at York last time.

Completing the field is Hattan, trained by Clive Brittain who is chasing a third Ladbrokes St Leger victory.

Hattan was successful in the Group Three Chester Vase back in May and also ran a good race when sixth to Motivator in the Derby. A return to form last time, saw him chase home Eccentric in the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor. He is set to partnered by Australian ace Kerrin McEvoy - successful in 2004 on Rule Of Law.

Latest Ladbrokes prices:

Evens Scorpion 11/4 Hard Top 5/1 The Geezer 8/1 Avalon 12/1 Tawqeet 33/1 Kong 40/1 Hattan