Last Yorkshire winner Darley gives backing to Rewilding

In an inspired ride, Darley made the most of Bollin Eric's stamina to overhaul favourite Bandari and win the 2002 renewal of the Doncaster marathon for Tim Easterby.

It was a day White Rose racegoers will never forget; the first

Yorkshire winner of the St Leger since Peleid in 1973.

Yet, while Darley would love to see another local success, it is unlikely to come from Mark Johnston's Corsica – this year's Yorkshire entry.

Owned by one of Godolphin supremo Sheikh Mohammed's sons, he will run as a pacemaker to Rewilding, the red-hot favourite bidding to land a sixth St Leger for in-form jockey Frankie Dettori.

Now chief executive of the Professional Jockeys' Association, Darley – fresh from braving Wednesday's veterans' race in aid of charity – believes it is Rewilding's race to lose.

"It's a fabulous race to win – and a first Classic for both myself and Mr Easterby," said Darley. "It's not straight-forward. It's at the time of year when horses are just going past their peak.

"The race can produce a surprise, but I think Rewilding has done everything right up to now and was very impressive last time out at York.

"York and Doncaster are very similar courses. They have similar characteristics – long straights – and both have seen new drainage put in recently. It will take a lot of rain before there's soft going. When I won with Bollin Eric, I wanted to make the most of his stamina. I knew that once I asked him to pick up, he'd only do so for a few strides. That's why I tried to hit the front at the two furlong mark, and take it from there.

"When I got to Bandari, I knew he would fight on, but luckily we had enough left to see them off.

"I wouldn't be surprised if that's what Frankie does – and plays to Rewilding's strength which is his proven stamina. It shouldn't be a problem, judging by his York run."

That view is shared by George Duffield, victorious in 1992 aboard User Friendly who was the last filly to win the St Leger.

Duffield, whose wife Ann is a trainer near Leyburn, is doubtful that Snow Fairy, the dual Oaks heroine, has the "stamina" to beat Rewilding.

"When User Friendly won the Oaks, I knew she was a Leger horse," he told the Yorkshire Post. "It was unusual for me because I normally under-sell, rather than over-sell, a horse, but her mother was a two mile mare and her sire was a Derby winner so I knew she would stay.

"I just rode her to stay, dropped in fourth and fifth and travelling well. I was going to set sail for home two furlongs out but, as I did, the race was over.

"That's the key part: can a horse, after one and a half miles, stay an extra two furlongs? It can be a long way but I expect Frankie to be positive and win."

Duffield feels the biggest threats to Dettori are likely to come from Dandino and William Buick's Arctic Cosmos, who will wear blinkers for the first time to improve his concentration.