Thought Worthy closing in on St Leger

Though the pair still have five contenders to take on Aidan O’Brien’s Triple Crown-seeking Camelot, they appear to be favouring Thought Worthy who was a resilient winner of York’s great Voltigeur Stakes a fortnight ago after an inspired front-running ride by Buick.

Only fourth to Camelot in the Epsom Derby, Thought Worthy appears to have an abundance of stamina that will test the odds-on history-seeker at Doncaster on September 15. They are tactics that have been deployed perfectly in the past two renewals with Arctic Cosmos and Masked Marvel.

Gosden also has Gordon Stakes third Michelangelo and Bahrain Trophy winner Shantaram in contention, while Irish Oaks heroine Great Heavens and possible pacemaker Dartford still features among his five entries.

However the trainer, has indicated that Great Heavens – a full sister to Eclipse hero Nathaniel – is more likely to head to Longchamp for the Prix Vermeille 24 hours after the Doncaster feature.

He is also concerned Shantaram may not be quite ready for the Leger after missing his intended prep race at York.

“There will be a pacemaker and two runners (in the Leger), I would have thought,” said Gosden.

“Shantaram missed the Voltigeur and it may well come a week too soon. There’s no point rushing him if he’s not ready, but we will wait and see. The obvious two are Thought Worthy and Michelangelo and a pacemaker.”

Thought Worthy is now the 10-1 joint-third favourite from 14s for the Leger as Gosden and Buick look to add to their phenomenal Group One success in 2012 that has already yielded seven triumphs apiece.

Ladbrokes’s David Williams said: “Punters are still trying to work out the pecking order of John Gosden’s Leger hopefuls and Thought Worthy is currently all the rage. Whichever one William Buick rides is bound to shorten further from current prices.”

Paul Hanagan is likely to be missing from the saddle when July Cup hero Mayson returns to action in Haydock’s Betfred Sprint Cup on Saturday.

The champion jockey is likely to be riding at Ascot for his retained owner Sheikh Hamdan al-Maktoum, leaving Malton trainer Richard Fahey to seek an alternative rider.

Tony Hamilton, who has partnered Mayson to victory in the past, is a likely contender.

Meanwhile Kingsgate Native, who won the Nunthorpe as a juvenile for John Best in 2007, will miss the race.

Now with Robert Cowell, he will instead wait for a slightly easier task at Doncaster next week.

Imperial Commander is set for an imminent return to training with Nigel Twiston-Davies ahead of a likely tilt at the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. The 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has been off the course for 18 months.