IRISH Budweiser Derby favourite Silver Patriarch heads a list of 50 entries for the Pertemps St Leger at Doncaster.
The John Dunlop-trained colt, currently undergoing tests following his flop in last Sunday's classic, could be joined on September 13th by at least four horses who finished behind him when he was runner-up in the Epsom Derby.
The fifth horse, The Fly, seventh Symonds Inn, ninth Bold Demand and 11th Single Empire have also been put in the Pounds 330,000 contest.
The all-conquering Aidan O'Brien stable could bid for its first British classic success with Johan Cruyff and Strawberry Roan, fourth and eight respectively in the Irish Derby. In addition, Charles O'Brien has entered the Curragh runner-up, Dr Johnson.
France's six entries include
Epsom Oaks second Gazelle Royale, whose trainer John Hammond has also entered Le Paillard, owned by Sir James Goldsmith.
Last year's winning trainer John Gosden has seven entries while Godolphin, successful in 1995 with Classic Cliche, could run one-time Derby favourite Happy Valentine.
Retiring trainer Dick Hern may bid for a seventh and final St Leger triumph with Shaya.
Other runners can be added to the extended mile-and-three-quarter contest for Pounds 18,000 at the supplementary entry stage on September 6th.
The winners of the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Epsom Oaks Benny the Dip, Desert King and Reams Of Verse respectively are notable omissions from the field.
Chris Rutter rode the first treble of his career when landing a 699 to 1 three-timer at Folkestone yesterday.
Rutter was a man in a hurry and after rattling off his threesome with Itsinthepost (16-1), Stahr (I7-2) and Jona Holley (100-30) he sped off to fulfil commitments at Epsom's evening fixture where he was successful on l0 to 1 chance Tappeto.
A chuffed Rutter said: "I have been close to a treble a couple of times but today I got lucky as the three horses all wanted soft ground, which we got."
Unlucky Wokingham Stakes second Danetime dominated opening shows of betting on the Stewards' Cup after publication of the weights yesterday. Michael Tabor's three-year-old, set to carry 8st 7lb, is 10 to 1 favourite with William Hill and 8 to 1 with Ladbrokes for the Pounds 75,000 handicap on August 2nd.
