Veteran jockey Martin Dwyer has a favourite’s chance of beating old friend Frankie Dettori in St Leger

It is 17 years since the Liverpudlian broke his Classic duck aboard Casual Look in the Oaks at Epsom.

Three years later, he enjoyed the greatest triumph of his career on Sir Percy in the Derby.

Now in the twilight of his career at the age of 45, Dwyer has found big-race mounts harder to come by in recent seasons.

But he will be thrust back into the spotlight at Doncaster today when he partners the St Leger favourite against his long-term friend and rival Frankie Dettori who is on Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby victor Santiago.

Pyledriver has certainly caught the public’s imagination – he runs in the colours of La Pyle Partnership who could not even sell the colt in his younger days. Now they’re turning away potential purchasers.

Victorious at Royal Ascot before disappointing in the Derby, Pyledriver will need to show the class that saw him – and Dwyer – surge to victory in York’s Great Voltigeur Stakes last month, a noted St Leger trial.

Other rivals include Owen Burrows-trained Hukum as former jump jockey Jim Crowley seeks a first Classic, and Mark Johnston’s Subjectivist.

The sole Yorkshire contender, drying ground might count against Subjectivist who was a wide-margin winner on heavy ground at Doncaster just a fortnight ago.

In other big race developments, teenage Irish jockey Shane Crosse misses the ride on Joseph O’Brien’s Galileo Chrome after testing positive for Covid-19.

But the absence of crowds at Doncaster will not deter Dwyer as he looks to add a third Classic to his CV. “It’s so hard to get rides in Classics and in these big races. To be going there with a favourite – I’m over the moon,” he said. “There are so many talented, young jockeys coming through now – it’s great to put them back in their place now and again!

“I’m obviously in the latter part of my career, but I actually feel more relaxed and happy and content.

“I haven’t got youth on my side, but I’ve got plenty of experience (and) I’m enjoying riding more than ever.”

In a sport increasingly dominated by the powerhouse owners and yards, Pyledriver bids to strike a blow for the smaller man on Town Moor.

The star of a string of less than 30 horses trained by Dwyer’s father-in-law William Muir, the son of Harbour Watch has given hope to those involved in racing for the love of the sport.

“It’a a great story. It’s great for racing, I think,” he ventured. “Over the past five or 10 years, all the good horses seem to have been in the same hands – with the top trainers and top jockeys.

“This horse has shown you don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands or millions on bloodstock – you can breed a horse and compete at the top level. The dream is alive.”

Dwyer is also fulsome in his praise of Dettori as the latter seeks a seventh St Leger. He said: “I started with Ian Balding many years ago, and Frankie was stable jockey. I looked up to him – we’re very good friends and have been for many years. Frankie is a superstar. He’s five or six years older than me, but he’s riding better than ever, and it’s a joy to watch him.

“His positioning in a race is unbelievable – he always seems to be in the right place at the right time – and that’s what wins big races.”

Dwyer is confident Pyledriver possesses the required tools to win the St Leger, part of the Qipco British Champions Series, with the step up to a mile and three-quarters the only real question mark. “The horse looks fantastic and is fit and well – the team have done a great job with him,” he said.

“The key thing with this horse is he’s just improved all year. Even when he won at Royal Ascot he was like a teenager – whereas now, he’s becoming a man.

“He wasn’t stopping at York and hit the line strong and full of running. He has got gears and has speed for a mile and a quarter, but I think he will stay if the race pans out well and he relaxes.

“It would be nice to win another Classic. I’m riding a very good horse, and they’ve all got me to beat. Touch wood, if things go well, he will win. So I’ll just go out there and enjoy it.”