WHAT a line-up. Eleven-times champion jockey Pat Eddery, seven times champion jump jockey John Francome, Grand National winner Tony Dobbin... and Press racing tipster Tom O’Ryan.

On September 8, our form expert will pit his wits against some of the sport’s greatest talents in the inaugural Leger Legends race at Doncaster Racecourse.

O’Ryan is one of 16 riders who, for one day only, will once again be granted professional licences and will take part in a £10,000 conditions contest under rules to raise money for the Northern Racing College and Jack Berry’s dream to build a rehabilitation centre in the north for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.

An all-star cast awaits O’Ryan over a mile on the Town Moor.

Boroughbridge-based Kevin Darley, champion jockey a decade ago, George Duffield, the multiple Group 1 winning rider who is assistant trainer for wife Ann at Constable Burton, and recently retired Boston Spa-based jockey Dale Gibson promise to give him a stern examination.

Add Alex Greaves, the first woman to win a Group 1 contest and now assistant trainer to husband David Nicholls in Sessay, and Scottish National-winning jockey turned trainer Micky Hammond to the list and you have a top-class field.

Between them, the field of 16 riders won seven Champion Hurdles, five Derbys, five Arcs and two Grand Nationals.

O’Ryan, who began his career at Doncaster in March 1972 aboard Marsascala, rode 85 winners on the Flat before turning to journalism.

He won a charity race in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance at the South Yorkshire course a year ago on board former York John Smith’s Cup winner Charlie Tokyo and has plans to reign supreme again.

“I think it will be fantastic for the public to see the likes of John Francome and Pat Eddery, who have ridden so many winners,” he said. “What I achieved pales into insignificance.

“I am really looking forward to it and I will give my right arm to win it. There is some talent about and true racing people love their names from the past.”

The jockeys will find out only 48 hours before race time what horse they will be riding and O’Ryan is naturally hoping he will be piloting the best mount.

He won’t lack for fitness, riding out several lots nearly every day at Malton trainer Richard Fahey’s Musley Bank stables, but he knows that still won’t compare to the rigours of a competitive contest.

“I’m 55 now and you couldn’t just come back from scratch and think you would be well enough prepared,” he added. “A race doesn’t replicate riding out. It is so much more demanding.

“At the end of the day, it is down to what everyone rides. The best horse should win as none of them will lack for assistance. It’s a 0-70 classified race and they have put on some proper prize money.

“These sort of horses don’t normally run for £10,000. It is part of the card and it is a proper race. It’s out of starting stalls as well and I will be getting some practice in.

“Clearly there are a lot of people who were willing to do this and it is for a very good cause as well. I think a lot of us will get a really good thrill out of it.

“A lot of hard work has gone into putting it on and fair play to the British Horseracing Authority for their help.”

To sponsor O’Ryan, who has himself pledged to raise funds for the charities, or any of the other jockeys riding in the race, visit www.justgiving.co.uk/michelle-bardsley.