Brian Meehan raring to go with Raheen House in St Leger

Brian Meehan reports Raheen House to be in peak form ahead of the colt's bid to give the Manton trainer a first career Classic success in the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.

Meehan has deliberately kept Raheen House under wraps since he won the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket's July meeting and all has gone to plan so far.

"He did his last bit of work this morning and I was particularly pleased," said Meehan.

"He worked with a horse that usually has a bit too much speed for him but he was bang there this morning. It's very exciting and we are all looking forward to Saturday."

He added: "He hasn't run since winning at Newmarket in July because I just felt he needed a bit more time.

"The St Leger has always been the target for him and, having had four tough runs, I just wanted to give him some time and it's worked out - everything has gone to plan and he hasn't missed a day, he's got much stronger too.

"The (soft) ground will be fine for him and he's certainly bred for the trip. He ticks both boxes."

With Raheen House's regular rider Jamie Spencer unavailable, Meehan has snapped up Adam Kirby, who displayed his talents with a great win on Harry Angel in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last weekend.

"I'm very disappointed that Jamie Spencer won't be riding Raheen House as he's been claimed to ride in Canada for Aidan O'Brien and Mr (Jim) Hay," said Meehan.

"It's frustrating but we've been very lucky to get Adam Kirby to ride him. He's riding with such confidence at the moment and I think he'll suit the horse's style."

In other jockey news, Frankie Dettori has elected to ride Coronet over better-fancied stablemate Stradivarius.

Trainer John Gosden has four Leger wins to Dettori's five and is again expected to play a leading role on Town Moor, with Coronet, last time finishing second to the yard's brilliant Enable in the Yorkshire Oaks, joined by Royal Ascot winner Stradivarius.

James Doyle comes in for the ride on Stradivarius, who followed up his Queen's Vase success at the Royal meeting with victory over Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup.

Capri (Ryan Moore) spearheads a four-strong team trained by Aidan O'Brien, whose string comprises of Venice Beach (Seamie Heffernan), Douglas Macarthur (Emmet McNamara) and The Anvil (Michael Hussey).

A grey son of Galileo, Capri took the coveted scalp of Cracksman in the Irish Derby but missed his intended prep race in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last month after suffering a slight setback.

The Ballydoyle handler goes to Doncaster in search of a fifth success in the world's oldest Classic.

In contrast, O'Brien's son, Joseph, saddles Rekindling just four years after steering Leading Light to Leger glory as a jockey.

Sir Michael Stoute has a leading contender in Crystal Ocean - the mount of champion jockey Jim Crowley - who warmed up for his big day with victory in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Roger Varian has a fascinating candidate in the progressive Defoe, winner of all his four starts this season and to be ridden by two-time Leger winning jockey Andrea Atzeni. Andrew Balding's Count Octave completes the line-up.

The two withdrawals at the 48-hour final declaration stage were Abyssinian and Air Supremacy, both from the O'Brien stable.