My Crystal Ball Tells Me It's Stoute

Our correspondent fancies Michael Stoute’s Crystal Ocean can wash his rivals away in a thrilling St Leger

The final Classic of the season looks a potential cracker with recent trial winners Crystal Ocean, Defoe and Stradivarius all set to meet in the William Hill sponsored St Leger at Doncaster. Stradivarius could be one of a handful for trainer John Gosden, who bids to claim a fifth classic on Town Moor.

Stradivarius lowered the colours of Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup at last month’s less than Glorious meeting although he was receiving plenty of weight (13lbs) from the Michael Bell horse on ground less than ideal for the Ascot Gold Cup winner.

Stradivarius had previously won the Queens Vase, now over the Leger distance of 1m 6f, and he is clearly a most progressive stayer.