Count Octave on course for St Leger

Count Octave will aim to strengthen his position as a candidate for next month's William Hill St Leger in the Goodwood Revival March Stakes.

With soft ground ruling the three-year-old out of the Great Voltigeur at York earlier in the week, the son of Frankel has been rerouted to take in the Listed prize ahead a potential shot at Classic glory at Doncaster.

The Qatar Racing-owned colt was last seen in action finishing a close second behind subsequent Goodwood Cup hero Stradivarius in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Andrew Balding said: "They had too much rain for him at York and I didn't want to try him on soft ground at this stage of his career, so I pulled him out.

"The ground should be perfect at Goodwood. He is in great form, and the form of his second at Royal Ascot has worked out well. He would have a great chance.

"He has got an entry in the St Leger, but he has got to run very well at Goodwood. The St Leger is a possibility, though.

"He is still an immature horse and I've been very careful not to over-face him. Next year will be his year and he will be a lovely stayer."

While there are no Classic aspirations on the horizon for Walton Street, his trainer Charlie Appleby hopes he can make it three wins from as many starts by backing up his recent course success in the mile-and-three-quarter contest.

The Newmarket handler said: "He has done nothing wrong in his two starts. He is a hard horse to gauge at home as he is not an excellent work horse, but I can't fault what he has done on track.

"The ground conditions will be slightly different, as they were on the slow side of good there last time. He could not have been more impressive. He was slowly away, but he galloped out strongly. This is another test for him and it will show where we are.

"It did surprise me last time - going to Goodwood after one run can catch some horses out, but he put up a decent performance."

Roger Varian does not believe the drop back down from two miles will cause any problems for the four-timer-seeking UAE King.

He told www.varianstable.com: "UAE King is a fast-improving horse who is strengthening up and maturing all of the time.

"We considered various options for him, but it seemed logical to keep him against the three-year-olds stepped up to Listed level, and I don't think he will be inconvenienced by the drop in trip.

"He looks an exciting prospect."

The field is completed by the William Haggas-trained Call To Mind and Zenon from the yard of John Gosden.