Emmet Mullins says Winday has a bag packed and ready to make a late dash for the Melbourne Cup if he can make an impression in the Group Two Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup on day two of the Betfred St Leger Festival.

The Group 2 Doncaster Cup (3.00) is the older brother of the more illustrious final Classic, first run in 1766 and today’s feature on Town Moor.

The Grand National-winning trainer, who will take over Jim Bolger’s Cooolcullen base from next season, has made a career of innovative planning.

Winday faces stiff opposition in this two-and-a-quarter-mile contest, not least of which from fellow Irish raiders, Aidan O’Brien’s likely favourite, Queenstown, and Ascending as well as a home challenge headed by Caballo De Mar and Beylerbeyi.

“The Melbourne Cup is definitely something that is in our minds. He’s definitely going to have to run a big race and probably jump another 10lb to get in, but we’re hoping that his mark will get changed a good bit,” Mullins said.

Molecomb Stakes winner, Richard Hannon’s Pershaada is fancied to bounce back to form in the the five-furlong Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes (2.25) after being well beaten in the Nunthorpe at York last month.

Jockey Sammy Jo Bell bids for a fourth win in the Betfred Leger Legends Classified Stakes (1.50) on Michael Herrington’s Anthropologist. Adam Kirby, Joe Fanning, Gaye Kelleway and Tom Scudamore are also set to ride.