Small Leger field could attract Juste

Ed Dunlop today admitted that the prospect of a very small field for the Rothmans Royals St Leger could tempt connections of Mot Juste to bid for Saturday week`s Classic.

His Irish Oaks runner-up had been announced as just a 'possible' runner for the Doncaster contest when she figured among 19 acceptors for the race last week.

But as the likes of Artillery, Beekeeper, Morshdi, Putra Sandhurst and French challenger Roman Saddle have all recently been ruled out of the race the attraction of the Stg£350,000 event has increased.

And with Alexius, And Beyond, Mr Combustible and either Milan or Mediterranean the only major fancies confirmed as definite starters another very low turnout could be on the cards for a race which attracted just six runners in both 1985 and 1988.

Outlining plans for Mohammed Al Nabouda`s Mot Juste before heading off to the USA, Dunlop saidt: 'She is in the Prix Vermeille on the Sunday and we will keep our options open for another day or two.

'Iwill discuss it with the owner or his representatives and then we will decide. The size of the field could influence our decision - we will see how many runners there are.

'But there is still quality if not quantity. I was very impressed with Sir Michael Stoute`s Alexius at Goodwood. And you had to be impressed that Mr Combustible could beat Millenary at Newbury, even if he was receiving a lot of weight.'

Mot Juste, winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket before going down by just a neck to stable-companion Lailani at the Curragh, finished eighth of nine in the Yorkshire Oaks on her most recent appearance.

Dunlop said: 'She was a long way below form last time. She appeared to be in season but I wouldn`t want to use that as an excuse and it was very inconclusive. But she seems in good form now.'