John Gosden | Shantaram on Leger Trail

John Gosden | Shantaram on Leger Trail. John Gosden might give yet one more Ladbrokes St Leger candidate from his all-conquering stable if Shantaram produces a good performance in Thursday's Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.

The trainer has landed the ultimate Classic of the season for the last 2 years and already has 2 sturdy prospects for September's race within the form of Michelangelo and Thought Worthy.

Last season's Leger winner Masked Marvel used this cluster 3 event as his prep-run, whereas Shantaram has shown himself to be a reputable performer already.

It took girl Bamford's colt four runs to finally get a win to his name, however his 1st 2 efforts this term were of real substance as he finished a nose behind Model Pupil on the Rowley Mile and was then crushed simply [*fr1] a length by subsequent Derby runner-up Main Sequence within the major trial at Lingfield.

Shantaram went off the 1-8 favorite during a maiden at the Newmarket July Course last month however solely scraped home on soft ground, and Gosden would have considerations if conditions are testing once more.

"He has done well within the last 2 or 3 weeks," Gosden said.

"I thought the maiden would be a penalty kick however he did not just like the ground and he got a little tired. i would not wish to see an excessive amount of rain, however he is in sensible order and i have been happy with him."

Shantaram's main rival can be the William Haggas-trained Valiant.

The Galileo colt, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, is unbeaten in 2 starts.

He came through late to urge off the mark at Newbury before manufacturing an identical performance when a hot favorite for a York handicap.

Haggas said: "He's all right. It's clearly a improve at school for him and it's laborious to inform whether or not he'll address it or not, as he is a horse who confirmed nothing at home.

"But he is a well-bred horse and therefore the manner he ran last time steered he wished a improve in trip, thus we're upping him in trip and sophistication.

"He appears to handle softer ground, thus we'll see what happens."

James Toller's runner Rewarded took another leap forward when a decent third to Energizer within the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot whereas Cheshire Oaks winner sensible Morning Star and Naseem Alyasmeen give additional competition.

The final runner is that the lightly-raced Yazdi.

An update on trainer Brian Meehan's web site read: "Easy Thirsk maiden winner perceived to notice the 2 miles of the Queen's Vase at Ascot stretching his stamina. This reversal to thirteen furlongs ought to be additional appropriate."