Kingston Hill camp concerned about drying ground ahead of St Leger

Kingston Hill camp concerned about drying ground ahead of

St Leger

As Thursday progressed, however, Varian expressed greater concern about the

state of the ground, and issued a public plea for the course to be watered.

"If they don't water they are risking the non-participation of the favorite

in the classic," Varian told Racing Post. "It was cloudy all the way up

here from Newmarket until I hit Bawtry just down the road.

"Since then, the sun hasn't stopped shining and the ground would appear to be

quickening up all the time.

"It's the clerk of the course's prerogative whether he waters or not. We are

hopeful of running but if it gets quicker tomorrow (Friday) we will have a look

at the ground on Saturday."

According to Racing Post, Clerk of the Course Roderick Duncan wasn't

inclined to turn on the taps.

"We do not intend to water tonight and the forecast is for it to be cloudier

and cooler tomorrow," Duncan said. ""It's not all about the St Leger. There are

seven other races on Saturday and many of those entries need good ground or

faster."

John Gosden has trained three of the last seven winners of this race and four

in total, and his trio include the Derby third Romsdal, who is the pick of

William Buick. Frankie Dettori has been called up for the ride on Lady Bamford's

March Stakes winner Forever Now and their conditioner is keen on his chance.

"I like Forever Now a lot -- he's an improving horse and will be a lovely

horse next year," he said. "Romsdal is in good form and it's an open race with a

couple of real improvers. Doncaster has a tremendous atmosphere at this time of

year and I've always thought the world of the oldest classic."

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