His trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has saddled 18 Group One winners already this season, has a total of nine entries, but has removed nine other candidates, including Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone.

Current ante-post favourite Conduit is still a possible for
Sir Michael Stoute, while stablemate Patkai, a beaten favourite in the Great Voltigeur last weekend, could aim to restore his reputation.

Look Here, off the track since her Epsom Oaks victory, could return for the season's final Classic as she attempts to become the first filly to win the race since User Friendly in 1992. The only other filly to have been entered is Tommy Stack's Unsung Heroine.

Stoute's Tartan Bearer and the Dermot Weld-trained Winchester are notable absentees.

Luca Cumani, who sent out Commanche Run to win the world's oldest Classic in 1984, is considering Savarain for the race.

Cumani said: ''The St Leger is definitely an option for Savarain and we will decide nearer the time whether we let him take his chance or not.

''He was entered to run over a mile and three-quarters in the Melrose Stakes at the Ebor meeting, but unfortunately the ground and the meeting went against him. He needs good going to be at his best.

''I am happy with the horse and I was pleased with his run at Goodwood. He will have no problem in stepping up in distance, but the step up in class could be a problem for him.

''There's no time to get a run into him before the St Leger and there are no races for him either.

''We will decide nearer the time if he is ready to take his place in a Group One race.''

The Barry Hills-trained Daraahem was another who should have run in the Melrose at York.

He won his first attempt over a mile and three-quarters on soft ground at Haydock earlier this month and is set to run in the Listed corbettsports.com Chester Handicap on Saturday.

Hills's son and assistant Charlie feels a good display on the Roodee will see the colt book his ticket for Doncaster and bid to provide his father with another big-priced winner of the Classic, following the success of 40-1 shot Moonax in 1994.

''We've kept Daraahem in the St Leger and we will decide whether to let him run after his run at Chester on the weekend,'' he said.

''He would have to run well there, but if he goes and wins then we would obviously have to consider running him at Doncaster.

''He took the step up to a mile and three-quarters really well on his last start at Haydock and he obviously stays the trip.

''He won in heavy ground there and we would prefer cut in the ground for him if he were to take his chance."


TODAY'S BEST

DUKE'S DOUBLE

Hawk Mountain (2.40 Ayr) nap, and Countdown (4.40 Ayr).

DUKE'S TREBLE

Hawk Mountain, Countdown and Happy Anniversary (3.10 Ayr).

JULIUS'S DOUBLE

Once A Gulch (4.30 Great Leighs) nap, and Signalman (2.40 Ayr).

FORMNAP

My Paris (4.10 Ayr).