Scotland certain to be given tilt at St Leger

Prize money is up to £650,000 this year for the world’s oldest Classic and currently heading the betting are the Investec Derby second and third, Kingston Hill and Romsdal.

One horse certain to be among the entries is Andrew Balding’s Scotland, who was third in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“Scotland will certainly be given an entry in the Ladbrokes St Leger next week,” said Balding.

“All has been well with him since his run at Royal Ascot.

“We are now looking at running him in a trial for the Leger and, all being well, his next outing is likely to be in the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood (Wednesday, July 30).”

The likes of Hartnell, Eagle Top, Elite Army and Snow Sky are all expected to feature.

Take Cover will aim to follow up his impressive York win in the Betfred King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The seven-year-old sprinter was having just his 14th race on the Knavesmire after running respectably in the King’s Stand Stakes.

Having blasted out of the stalls, he could not be pegged back and a return to York for the Nunthorpe is also on the agenda.

“He’s come out of the race nicely, he’s bouncing,” said his trainer, David Griffiths. “He’ll go to the King George at Goodwood if he’s okay and if not he’ll go straight to the Nunthorpe.”

Sabrina Harty will have her fingers firmly crossed Ansgar shows no effects from the splint problem he suffered after running at Royal Ascot when he returns to action in the Michael Murphy Home Furnshings Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh today. The six-year-old was found to be lame when last of 10 behind Toronado in the Queen Anne Stakes.