Moore hoping to renew alliance with Snow Fairy

Should conditions ease enough at Doncaster for Sir Michael Stoute's liking, with the forecast for rain, the champion jockey – just back from a wrist injury that has ended his title defence – will be obliged to ride the outsider Total Command.

If the ground remains on the fast side, Moore will be understandably keen to renew his acquaintance with Snow Fairy after winning the Epsom and Irish Oaks double on Ed Dunlop's filly earlier this year.

Richard Hughes stepped in to steer her to second in the Yorkshire Oaks when Moore was sidelined with his injury and the Irishman is in the frame again should both horses start on Saturday.

Dunlop said: "It depends on the weather. If it's not too bad, she'll definitely run.

"I've never had a runner in the St Leger and I would love to. Godolphin's horse (Rewilding) will be tough to beat. I hope she runs well but if she doesn't stay, she won't be bullied and have a hard race.

"Ryan will hopefully ride and if not Ryan, then it will be Richard Hughes or Eddie Ahern, although they don't know that and I will have to speak to Mrs Patino (Snow Fairy's owner) first."

Of Total Command, down the field behind Leger favourite Rewilding in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, on his first start since June, Stoute said: " We will check on the ground on Thursday morning and make a decision then."

Stoute would like the ground to be "good or a bit softer" for Total Command to start but confirmed Moore would be asked to ride if he gives the go-ahead.

Mark Tompkins, who saddled Bob's Return to win the Leger in 1993, is looking forward to sending Great Voltigeur fourth Ted Spread, particularly in light of the unsettled weather forecast.

"I'm pleased to hear the forecast but it has got to happen. If it rains, it will suit him," said Tompkins.

Gainsborough trainer James Given purposely bypassed the Voltigeur with Dandino and does not believe the ground will be an issue.

"Whatever we get at Doncaster, I don't think will be a problem," said Given.

Rewilding, who will be bidding to give Frankie Dettori a sixth

St Leger, will have the added assistance of a pacemaker with Mark Johnston's Corsica, owned by one of Godolphin supremo Sheikh Mohammed's sons, aiming to ensure a strong gallop on Town Moor.

Impressive York winner Waiter's Dream heads 14 possible runners in Saturday's Neptune Investment Management Champagne Stakes at the

St Leger meeting.

Brian Meehan's youngster was a four-and-a-half-length scorer in last month's Acomb Stakes. In-form Malton trainer Richard Fahey is currently double-handed in the race with Premier Clarets and Waltz Darling.

Dar Re Mi, last year's Yorkshire Oaks heroine and one of the most popular horses in racing, has been retired.

Last seen when finishing fourth to Twice Over in the Eclipse, her finest hour came earlier this year when she won the Dubai Sheema Classic under an inspired ride by one-time Northern Racing College student William Buick who will attempt to land his first Classic on Saturday with Arctic Cosmos.

Trainer John Gosden said the horse, owned by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his wife Madeleine, had suffered a slight training setback and would not be fit for the Breeders Cup this autumn.

The St Leger meeting signals the imminent arrival of the National Hunt season, and champion trainer Paul Nicholls has unveiled initial plans for his top chasers.

Kauto Star, last seen taking a heavy fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is set to reappear in the jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, Northern Ireland, in early November.

This will be a prelude to the veteran attempting to win a historic fifth King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

It paves the way for stablemate Denman, runner-up to Imperial Commander in the Gold Cup, to take on the reigning champion in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, while What A Friend, jointly-owned by football manager

Sir Alex Ferguson, heads Nicholls's entries for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Nicholls said: "I don't want to get Kauto Star in a hard scrap with Imperial Commander at Haydock, because the King George is the big target."