Main contenders stay in Leger

All the leading fancies stood their ground in the Rothmans Royals St Leger after the latest forfeit stage revealed today for the Doncaster Classic.

A total of 19 three-year-olds remain in the 225th running of the September 15tb contest.

Ante-post betting on the St Leger is currently headed by Mr Combustible and the unbeaten Alexius.

Mr Combustible was a convincing winner of the Geoffrey Freer Stakes against older horses at Newbury on his latest start to earn his prominent position in the betting.

Alexius won the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time out for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who has never won the St Leger.

Stoute is also represented by the progressive Artillery, winner of a handicap at York last week, and Beekeeper, who finished fourth in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at the same meeting.

The Great Voltigeur winner Milan heads a strong Irish challenge.

The Sadler`s Wells colt is one of four entries for Aidan O`Brien, and his team also includes the Tote Ebor victor Mediterranean, the unraced Life Match and possible pacemaker Saddler`s Creek.

Curragh trainer Dermot Weld`s entry is Vinnie Roe, winner of a one-mile-six-furlong Listed event at the Curragh last Saturday.

The Irish entries are completed by the John Oxx-trained Pugin, fourth in the Irish Derby and beaten a head by Vinnie Roe on Saturday.

There has not been an Irish-trained St Leger winner since Vincent O`Brien sent over Boucher in 1972.

France is represented by Roman Saddle, trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias.

Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis has Morshdi and Putra Sandhurst in the oldest Classic.

Middleham handler Mark Johnston looks to have a strong contender with And Beyond, who has been aimed at Doncaster since winning the Queen`s Vase at Royal Ascot in June.

The Irish Oaks runner-up Mot Juste is the only filly still in the Stg#350,000 contest.

Godolphin, successful in three of the last six runnings (1995 Classic Cliche, 1998 Nedawi and 1999 Mutafaweq), rely on Alunissage, winner of a Lingfield maiden last month, and the lightly-raced Wareed this time.

There is a Stg#20,000 supplementary entry stage on Saturday when one-time Vodafone Derby favourite Nayef could be added to the line-up.

Ladbrokes betting: 3-1 Mr Combustible and Alexius, 7-2 Milan, 10-1 Morshdi, And Beyond, Mediterranean, 16-1 Beekeeper, Putra Sandhurst, Pugin, Vinnie Row, 20-1 Wareed, 25-1 bar.