TIM EASTERBY'S domination of the two-year-old sprint races at Doncaster's St Leger meeting looks all set to continue this afternoon via Roman Mistress (3.55).

Being drawn low on the straight course this week has been like the kiss of death; a fate which fortunately hasn't befallen Roman Mistress, who will be emerging from stall 18 in the hands of the ever-reliable Kevin Darley.

At first glance Easterby's youngster appears to be up against the wall having been soundly thrashed on her latest start at Chester.

However, there was a valid excuse for finishing a distant third that day because she was racing over a trip of seven furlongs, a distance over which her legs apparently turned to lead during the final couple of hundred yards.

The salient facts of the situation have not been lost on Tim, who now switches Roman Mistress back over a furlong shorter for the £40,000 DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes.

She's definitely got the pace to bag a position against the all-important stands' rail, where the fastest strip of ground appears to be, it's just a question of whether Darley can fend off the late charges that are bound to materialise from the 22-strong field.

More clues as to the outcome of next year's Classics might well be gleaned from the seven furlong £120,000 Champagne Stakes featuring 11 top-drawer two-year-olds.

David Loder, who has won the race for the last two years with Noverre and Dubai Destination, goes for the hat-trick in the Group 2 event with Almushahar (2.50).

Considering he has the full weight of the worldwide Godolphin operation behind him, generally speaking Loder's juveniles have to date been rather disappointing.

That comment does not, however, refer to Almushahar, an authoritative scorer on his debut at Newmarket, which went some way towards repaying his hefty $425,000 price tag.

The vibes from the gallops over the past few days concerning the selection's chances have been extremely positive and, although I believe Garros and Puma will be snapping at his heels throughout, Almushahar still looks the one they all have to beat.

The following Listed Troy Stakes is an absolute crackerjack of a contest featuring a small but very select band of smart middle-distance performers.

The form book says Storming Home should win, but on the downside there's no doubt he has failed to deliver on more than occasion which could let in the likes of Systematic (3.25). He wasn't beaten far by St Leger favourite Bandari in the Great Voligeur at York last month and this race definitely represents a drop in class compared to that red-hot race.

In the closing five furlong Coalite-sponsored Handicap, the confirmed front-runner Legal Set may well prove a hard catch provided jockey Darren Williams can get the partnership out of the stalls like greased lightning.

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