Bandari heads 13 left in Leger

There were no surprise withdrawals from the Rothmans Royals St Leger at today‘s confirmation stage, with 13 horses remaining in the last Classic of the season.

Ante-post favourite Bandari, trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston, will be out to land the £400,000 Group One contest for the north for the first time since Peleid scored for Malton-based Bill Elsey in 1973.

Bollin Eric from Tim Easterby‘s Habton stable is another local hope for the Doncaster feature.

Sir Michael Stoute, who has yet to win the world‘s oldest Classic, has three entries. They are King Edward VII Stakes victor Balakheri, March Stakes winner First Charter and Highest, who split Bandari and Bollin Eric in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last time.

Champion trainer Aidan O‘Brien has three entries in the one mile and six furlong contest headed by Irish Derby second and third Sholokov and Ballingarry, along with Galileo‘s brother Black Sam Bellamy.

Godolphin have Mamool and Kazzia left in on Saturday but the latter‘s participation is in doubt as she is being treated for a foot abscess.

If she made the line up on Town Moor she would be attempting to become the first since Oh So Sharp in 1985 to win the Fillies‘ Triple Crown, having already landed the Sagitta 1000 Guineas and Vodafone Oaks.

So long as the ground is not too firm Nysaean could represent Richard Hannon while the field is completed by Paul Cole‘s Mr Dinos and the Barry Hills-trained Lady‘s Secret.