Racing

Aidan O’Brien’s Idaho leads 25 confirmations for St Leger

Ballydoyle have 10 entries for Doncaster Classic, Ryan Moore set for Newmarket return

Aidan O’Brien has 10 entries in the Doncaster St Leger after the latest confirmation stage. Photograph: Getty
Aidan O’Brien has 10 entries in the Doncaster St Leger after the latest confirmation stage. Photograph: Getty
Wed Aug 24 2016 - 13:24

Ante-post favourite Idaho leads the way after 25 horses stood their ground at the latest confirmation stage for the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge cemented his place at the head of the betting for the Classic on September 10th when landing the Great Voltigeur Stakes, which is traditionally a strong trial for the race, at York last week.

He beat stablemate Housesofparliament that day and he is one of a 10 entries for O’Brien, with Sword Fighter, Somehow and Pretty Perfect also in the reckoning for the Ballydoyle team.

Meanwhile Ryan Moore will return to action with one ride at Newmarket on Friday.

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The star jockey has been absent since Glorious Goodwood due to a non-specified injury, with his last competitive ride being for Aidan O’Brien on Alice Springs in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on July 31st.

But Moore is now set to partner Spatial, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, in the opening Stride By TRM EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes at the headquarters of British racing.

He told his Betfair column: I’m pleased to say that I will be back riding at Newmarket on Friday. I am on Spatial in the opening race.

“I have been riding out for a couple of weeks, but it made sense to give the injury time to completely settle and heal before I started race-riding.

“There was simply no point in rushing back, with such a busy autumn campaign both domestically and internationally, and I have been having physio every day and generally keeping myself busy.

“It seems a long while since I rode Alice Springs in the Rothschild at the end of last month, but I am obviously very happy to be back.”