Brian Boru, beaten a whisker in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month, can take Classic glory at Doncaster on Saturday.

The £400,000 Seabiscuit St Leger, which this year carries the name of the iconic American racehorse of the 1930's, whose incredible rags-to-riches story, has been turned into a US block-busting film, and which is due to open in Britain early in November, looks a perfect opportunity for Brian Boru to get his career back on track.

The three-year-old, winner of the Racing Post Trophy on this course last October, has largely failed to fulfill his enormous promise this season. But his sterling effort on Knavesmire, to be beaten only a short-head by his stablemate Powerscourt in a race which often has a strong bearing on the St Leger outcome, advertised his claims in no uncertain manner.

The Doncaster ground, which is certainly riding on the easy side of good, will be ideal for Brian Boru, who also looks poised to enjoy the step-up to one and three-quarter miles.

The one slight concern is that Brian Boru has shown a slight tendency in the past to shirk a battle. Hopefully, he won't have to battle too hard to justify favouritism.

Among the dangers in the 13-strong field are the unbeaten Moments Of Joy, Phoenix Reach, who is two-from-two this season, and Salsalino, whose strong-finishing third in the Ebor Handicap makes him the best each-way bet in the line-up.

Add to that trio, Westmoreland Road, who will be bidding to give Pat Eddery a fifth St Leger triumph in his final year, and the scene is set for a wonderful occasion on Town Moor. Brian Boru to beat Salsalino and Moments Of Joy is my idea of the outcome.

The main supporting race to the St Leger is the £60,000 Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes over five furlongs.

Howick Falls, a fluent winner at the Ebor meeting, need only reproduce that form to take all the beating in this Group 2 prize under Frankie Dettori.

Dettori is also an interesting booking for the Reg Hollinshead-trained Royal Cavalier in the Torne Valley & Country Store Handicap over a mile and a half.

The six-year-old, winner of the November Handicap over this course and distance two seasons ago, ran a blinder to finish fourth to The Persuader at Haydock last Saturday. He is awarded the nap vote.

Calcutta, another previous winner over this course, goes for the Porcelanosa Rated Handicap and Barry Hills' gelding has been running well enough of late to gain an overdue success.

Darlington trainer Micheael Dods also has good prospects of getting his name on the scoresheet.

Dods saddles Polish Corridor in the ladbrokes.com Handicap and Tony Culhane's mount, a recent winner, has every chance of following-up on a course which suits his patient style of racing.

Updated: 12:26 Friday, September 12, 2003