Aidan O'Brien holds a three-strong hand in his quest for a ninth Betfred St Leger victory on Saturday, as Scandinavia and dual-Derby hero Lambourn headline the seven declared for the final British Classic of the season at Doncaster.
With stable rider Ryan Moore currently sidelined by a leg injury, Tom Marquand steps in to ride market leader Scandinavia, who registered a brilliant victory over his elders in the Goodwood Cup last time out. Marquand rode Galileo Chrome to Leger glory for O’Brien’s son Joseph in 2020.
Wayne Lordan, who steered Scandinavia to victory in July, misses the St Leger meeting due to a 10-day whip ban.
Sean Levey steered Jan Brueghel to victory for O’Brien last year and this time he will partner dual Derby winner Lambourn, as he bids to bounce back from disappointment in the Great Voltigeur at York.
Stay True finished a place ahead of his stablemate on the Knavesmire and he completes the Ballydoyle trio, with Mickael Barzalona getting the leg up on the son of Galileo.
Paddy Twomey’s Queen’s Vase winner Carmers is another leading contender from Ireland and was in fact ahead of both of O’Brien’s reopposing York runners when second in the Great Voltigeur. He is expected to relish a return to the extended one-mile-and-six-furlong distance.
Roger Varian has won the St Leger twice previously with Kingston Hill and Eldar Eldarov and saddles Queen’s Vase third Rahiebb in search of his third big victory on Town Moor.
The line-up is complete by Andrew Balding’s pair of Geoffrey Freer scorer Furthur and Tarriance, who steps out of handicap company after winning the Melrose at York.
"Those five years have gone quickly haven't they, since Galileo Chrome," said Marquand, who has that one British Classic on a CV that includes a string of Group One wins across the world.
"He’s looked a good horse this summer, I suppose he’s one of those who has just really found his mojo over these top staying trips.
"He’s obviously a gorgeous type. He had to get really stuck in at Goodwood but he did that really well and in the Bahrain Trophy he made relatively light work of the others.
"I thought Goodwood was a real display of what he’s capable of and where his head is as well – he’s a fantastic ride to pick up.
"It’s such a hard thing to do for the three-year-olds to beat their elders like he did at Goodwood, it’s tough.
"It will be interesting. There’s only seven but there’s a dual Derby winner and Aidan’s other horse (Stay True) looks good as well, but he’s (Scandinavia) the one who comes in on the back of winning a Group One, which is why he’s favourite.
"Saying that, I don’t think it detracts from what his two stablemates are capable of and horses like Carmers, who has been pretty good so far this season, particularly at Ascot.
"Scandinavia did have excuses at Ascot (when fifth behind Carmers), but it was still a good run. I just think since that he’s really found his legs over staying trips.
"To be honest whichever of the three I got told I was riding would have been great, but I’m very happy to have picked up Scandinavia."
Balding will have leading claims earlier on the card when Gewan attempt to back up his Gimcrack Stakes success in the Betfred Champagne Stakes.
A field of five has assembled, with rivals to Gewan including John and Thady Gosden’s exciting eight-length Sandown scorer Oxagon and John and Sean Quinn’s eyecatching Ayr maiden winner Cape Ashizuri, who is immediately upped in grade.
Charlie Appleby’s Shadow Of Light is the standout name amongst 11 in the other Group race on the card, the Betfred Park Stakes.
Watch the Irish Champions Festival from 2.45pm on Saturday and 2.30pm on Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
