Trainers outline their thoughts on their leading Ladbrokes St Leger hopes

Racing Manager Simon Crisford is unconvinced by Investec Derby runner-up Libertarian’s chances in Saturday’s Ladbrokes St Leger as Godolphin chase their seventh victory in Britain’s oldest Classic. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Aidan O’Brien may not now saddle Eye Of The Tiger in Saturday’s Ladbrokes St Leger following his narrow defeat at Galway last night, but Foundry and Leading Light look set to run.

O’Brien said: "We were delighted with Foundry’s run last time in the Great Voltigeur at York.

"That was his first run of the season and he was still running for experience, so we were delighted with how forward he was.

"He has had three weeks since York and is in good form.

"You would hope that the extra trip at Doncaster will be within his compass. He is a big, long-striding, good-moving horse and came home very well at York."

Ballydoyle’s leading Ladbrokes St Leger contender would appear to be Leading Light.

The son of Montjeu has won four of his five starts, most recently taking the two-mile Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot in June.

O’Brien said: "He had only gone as far as a mile and a quarter before the Queen’s Vase but he got the trip well at Ascot.

"We thought of going to the Voltigeur with him but he was not 100 per cent and gave him a couple of weeks off.

"We have been very happy with him over the last three weeks though and we always thought that Doncaster would suit him.

"He has not disappointed us yet, travels well and always finds plenty off the bridle."

O’Brien is seeking a fourth Ladbrokes St Leger success following Milan (2001), Brian Boru (2003) and Scorpion (2005).

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, said: "Encke was a great winner of the Ladbrokes St Leger in 2012 and he was our sixth Ladbrokes St Leger success in 20 years so we have a great track record in the Classic.

"It is a race we love and a fantastic heritage race – being the oldest Classic and part of the fabric of British racing.

"It is very much on the radar each year. We have a lot of horses who fit the profile of the race and naturally get drawn towards it. The Ladbrokes St Leger is one of the highlights of the whole year for us.

"Secret Number is bred to be a mile and a quarter horse and he looks to be one of these nearly horses – he does not seem to win on the big occasion.

"For me, I would be surprised if he was good enough to win on Saturday. He is in good form and, indeed, did his best piece of work ever leading up to this race. But I would be a bit surprised to see him in the winner’s enclosure.

"Cap O’Rushes was disappointing last time in the Great Voltigeur but the ground on the Knavesmire was very quick.

"I would suggest you take a line through him and Excess Knowledge who is one of the contenders to be favourite, while Cap O’Rushes is an unconsidered outsider. But Cap Of Rushes beat him at Goodwood.

"Though Excess Knowledge was an unlucky loser, there is no doubt that Cap O’Rushes, given his ground, is the most interesting of our three contenders at the price.

"Libertarian was bought with the Ladbrokes St Leger very much in mind. We thought he would be an ideal candidate for the Classic.

"But, having said that, I cannot help wondering if that will backfire. His run in the Irish Derby was too bad to be true, but the ground was very quick that day and he didn’t like it.

"It has taken him a long time to get over that race, while he had a very hard campaign in the spring.

"Karl Burke, very generously, told us everything we needed to know about the horse. Libertarian never shows anything in his work and has never showed us anything either – I think we are going there guessing.

"The jury is out and he still has a lot to prove."

David Wachman, the trainer of Irish Derby second and Investec Derby third Galileo Rock, commented: "Galileo Rock seems well and we are happy with him.

"He has run well in two Derbys and is very much entitled to take his chance on Saturday.

"His three-parts brother, Saddler’s Rock, stays well and hopefully he does too.

"Good ground will be fine though fast going would be better.

"Wayne Lordan, who is a top-class jockey, will ride Galileo Rock again. The horses are running well."

John Gosden is after a fifth Ladbrokes St Leger victory. He has one of the 4/1 joint favourites in Excess Knowledge as well as Feels Like Dancing.

He said: "The Ladbrokes St Leger is a fantastic race, with a great track and a great crowd. It is probably the best galloping track in Europe.

"Feels Like Dancing is fine after his Bahrain Trophy win – it is a route I have taken before with Masked Marvel.

"He is a solid horse and stays well. William Buick will be on board.

"Excess Knowledge will be ridden by James Doyle.

"He was making a nice run down the outside in the Gordon Stakes and there was horse wandering around in front of him every time we made a move.

"He flew at the finish but was just beaten. That is racing.

"I like him and, bred the way he is, the distance of a mile, six and a half furlongs should be within his compass.

"Good ground will be fair for everybody, but both horses will be appreciate any rain that comes."

Talent will be attempting to become the first filly to win the Ladbrokes St Leger since User Friendly 21 years ago.

Like User Friendly, Talent was also previously successful in the Investec Oaks at Epsom Downs.

Her trainer, Ralph Beckett, said:  "Talent is in good shape.

"She has not had the ideal preparation, as I was keen to run her in the Yorkshire Oaks but the ground was too quick.

"I think she would be better with a run under her belt.

"She galloped at Kempton over a mile last week and we were pleased with the way it went. She doesn’t knock herself out in her work.

"We have always felt she is a strong stayer and that the St Leger is the right race for her under the right conditions.

"She needs a bit of juice in the ground, not like the ground when she ran in the Irish Oaks.

"I am not convinced that the ground was the only reason for her poor performance in Ireland but I wouldn’t want to run her on fast ground again until I know for sure."

The Ladbrokes St Leger is due off at 3.50pm on Saturday, live on Channel 4.