Scintillula is driven out by Kevin Manning to beat Mars in the Meld Stakes© Photo Healy Racing
A small but select field will go to post for the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown this evening.
The Group Three contest has only attracted four runners but three of them are right out of the top drawer.
Johnny Murtagh 's Royal Diamond won the Irish St Leger last season and returned to winning ways last time out.
Aidan O'Brien runs Ernest Hemmingway, a five-length winner of the Curragh Cup from Royal Diamond, while Jim Bolger runs the filly Scintillula who as a three-year-old is in receipt of a stone from the Ballydoyle representative.
Kevin Manning will do the steering on Scintillula, as he has done in all her eight starts.
Manning's mount confirmed the promise of her second in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last season by finishing fourth in the Irish Oaks and beating Mars just five days later in the Meld Stakes.
"The forcing tactics seemed to make a big difference last time," said Manning.
"She's going well at home, she seems to be improving and we're very pleased with her.
"On the figures she's look to have a good chance but even though it's a small field it's very competitive."
Kevin Prendergast 's St Jean completes the line-up. Dermot Weld has won the last four runnings of the race with Profound Beauty (twice), Sense Of Purpose and Galileo's Choice but is not represented this year.
