Derby winner tops Leger entries

Racing:  Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune heads a 40-strong entry for the Ladbrokes St Leger on September 15th.

Racing: Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune heads a 40-strong entry for the Ladbrokes St Leger on September 15th.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien reports the colt to be in top form following his nine-length romp at the Curragh and admits the Doncaster Classic is under consideration for his star.

He said: "Soldier Of Fortune seems to be fine after the Irish Derby. We thought there was a change in him from Epsom to the Curragh and were delighted with his performance on Sunday.

"He's a definite possible for the Ladbrokes St Leger. We consider the St Leger a very important and prestigious race."

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O'Brien has a strong hand for the richest-ever renewal of the race with Alexander Of Hales and Eagle Mountain, who filled second and third in the Irish Derby respectively, among his 15 entries.

Ballydoyle's other possibles include Queen's Vase winner Mahler, Vodafone Oaks third All My Loving, Listed winner Honolulu and Macarthur, a one-time leading fancy for the Derby and full brother to Motivator.

"It is a race we like to target every year and we are looking forward to Doncaster this year with all the new facilities - it is going to be a spectacular day," O'Brien added.

"We were delighted also with Mahler at Royal Ascot. Pat Smullen rode him in the Derby and just thought he was very babyish and would learn a lot from the race

"We were really looking forward to Ascot and he ran a huge race. We think the Leger would really suit him.

"All My Loving will run in the Irish Oaks and she looks a filly who is crying out to go further, so she is definitely another candidate.

"Macarthur was given a mid-summer break with the view to bringing him back for a prep for the Ladbrokes St Leger. There is no definite race in mind at the moment but it could be the Voltigeur or something like that.

"Eagle Mountain looks like a horse who would not have any problem stepping up in trip or dropping down in distance. I don't think it will worry him which way we go.

"He has just run and we are going to leave him a week or so before we decide but you definitely could not rule him out of the Leger."

Soldier Of Fortune is currently the 4-1 favourite with Ladbrokes for the race with Mahler next best on 5-1 - along with the Marcus Tregoning-trained Aqaleem.

Mark Johnston's Irish Derby fourth Boscobel is also entered, while Godolphin, who would be aiming for a fifth win in the race, have a four-strong team headed by Eastern Anthem.