By NIALL HANNITY

The oldest and final Classic, the Ladbrokes St Leger, takes centre stage at Doncaster this afternoon and Sir Michael Stoute, who has had a very quiet season by his own standards, has a live chance of taking the race with the well-backed favourite Sea Moon.

Stoute, who saddled Conduit to take the race back in 2008, believes Sea Moon, who romped to success in the Great Voltigeur last time out by eight lengths, has what it takes to win the prize, saying: "Sea Moon is a horse that we've always enjoyed and rated.

"We went to York hopeful for the Great Voltigeur but didn't expect him to win in the manner he did.

"It's the most competitive Leger we've had for many years.

"He's got a proper Leger pedigree, his three-parts brother (Brian Boru) won the race, so you'd be hopeful that stamina wouldn't be a problem."

Sea Moon's biggest rival could be Masked Marvel for John Gosden and William Buick, the duo who took last year's race with Arctic Cosmos.

Masked Marvel should have no trouble with the trip and ran out an impressive winner at Newmarket last time out.

Gosden also has high hopes of a big run, saying: "It's a fantastic race and you don't get too many hard-luck stories.

"By the time they've run over a mile, six furlongs and 132 yards, usually the best horse has won.

"The idea that the winners are out-and-out plodders is a myth. You need tactical speed and a kick, otherwise you will end up out the back.

"Masked Marvel kicked on a long way out in the Bahrain Trophy and beat Census, and they showed they are nice horses who are on an upward curve, and deserve to be there."

Earlier in the afternoon the sprinters are in action in the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap, and Philip Makin, who rode the winner of the race last year on Poet's Place, has a fine chance of taking the race on the improving York Glory. Winner of four of his last seven starts, York Glory is improving at a fast rate of knots and really caught the eye when winning at York last time out.

Makin is hoping for a big run, saying: "He looks well drawn in stall 21 and the track should suit well.

"He looks the new kid on the block and hopefully he can take the step up in class."

York Glory winning at Doncaster, it sounds right to me.