Capri and Crystal Ocean head 24 left in St Leger

Stadivarius and Andrea Atzeni after landing the Qatar Goodwood Cup. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for half of the 24 entries that remain in contention for the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster on September 16.

O’Brien is seeking a fifth success in the final Classic of the season, which forms part of the Long Distance category of the QIPCO British Champions Series, and his principal candidate looks to be Capri, who won the Irish Derby on his latest start.

John Gosden has left in Stradivarius, who won the Qatar Goodwood Cup at the expense of Big Orange, and Ribblesdale Stakes winner Coronet, who chased home stablemate Enable in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York last Thursday.

Sir Michael Stoute, whose sole success in the mile-and-three-quarter prize came from Conduit in 2008, is set to rely on Gordon Stakes winner Crystal Ocean.

Saeed bin Suroor has left three candidates in the race, including Benbatl, winner of the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot on his penultimate start.

Other notable entries include the Brian Meehan-trained Raheen House, winner of the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, and the progressive Defoe, from the yard of Roger Varian, unbeaten in four starts this term.

William Hill make Capri and Crystal Ocean the 4-1 joint-favourites, with Stradivarius next in the market at 9-2.