Quiff connections state ground worries

Quiff, a leading candidate for this Saturday’s betfair.com St Leger, could miss the Doncaster showpiece should the ground on Town Moor ride too fast.

An 11-length winner of the Yorkshire Oaks on soft ground, Michael Stoute’s filly is as short of 11-4 with Ladbrokes to gave her trainer a first win in the final Classic of the season.

“Quiff is by no means a certain runner if the ground dries out to very firm at Doncaster,” Teddy Grimthrope, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, told the Racing Post.

“She hated it at Ascot and, if it stays dry, we will have to speak to Sir Michael and reassess things later in the week.”

The daughter of Sadler’s Wells had previously finished third to Punctilious in the Ribblesdale Stakes at the Royal meeting and should she miss the Leger, could be re-routed to the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on Sunday.