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Storm The Stars bids to cement his position as ante-post favourite for the Ladbrokes St Leger when he lines up for the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday.
The William Haggas-trained colt heads the market for the Doncaster Classic on September 12 after a string of fine performances at the highest level.
Placed in both the English and Irish Derbys, Storm The Stars was third to Erupt in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on his latest start. He takes his racing extremely well and will be having his eighth run of the campaign.
"We're hoping he can win. It's never easy, but he's beaten most of them and hopefully that will continue," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum.
"I think they've got him to beat rather than the other way round. We're the confirmed better horse on form at the moment.
"It's unlike William's training to run him that much, but he has to keep on top of this horse. He gets very fresh."
Balios gave a fine performance to win the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on just his third start but was then just behind Storm The Stars when fifth in the Grand Prix de Paris.
Connections of the David Simcock-trained colt felt their horse did not show his true running and are expecting a better effort this time, although he has a 3lb penalty for his Group Two success.
"The French race was too messy - it certainly didn't suit him. He got struck into quite badly in France and I don't think we saw him in his best light by any means," said the Newmarket handler.
"But I'd say he has come out of the race probably better than he came out of Ascot. He is going on to carry on improving but it isn't going to be easy with a 3lb penalty, though."
Jamie Spencer has ridden Balios in all his three starts this season and believes the track at York will play to his mount's strengths.
"It is a St Leger Trial, so a lot of these horses are using this as a stepping stone towards Doncaster for the final Classic of the season," Spencer said in his Coral blog.
"I didn't think he ran his race last time out at Longchamp for whatever reason that might be.
"The slow pace did not help, but either way, he is better than that and he hopefully he can show it at a galloping track which suits him."
Tashaar is being pitched in at the deep end after following up his Haydock debut success with an impressive handicap win at Glorious Goodwood.
The Richard Hannon-trained colt, owned by Al Shaqab Racing, was added to the field at the supplementary stage last week.
"I didn't want to take on the older horses in the Geoffrey Freer and this was the next step up if he is to be a St Leger horse," said Hannon.
"He looks like being a very talented horse, but he needs to be in these races to know what we are and where we are going.
"We think the world of this fellow," the Herridge handler told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
"He was very impressive when stepping up in trip and carrying top-weight last time. That was only his second race and he could be anything, so we have decided to supplement him to find out whether he is the real deal."
Aidan O'Brien goes for broke with three runners - Aloft, Bondi Beach and Giovanni Canaletto.
Aloft, runner-up in the Racing Post Trophy in October, made a successful reappearance in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot.
Giovanni Canaletto finished behind Storm The Stars in the English and Irish Derbys, while Bondi Beach is the least exposed of the trio, having short headed stablemate Order Of St George in the Group Three At The Races Curragh Cup on the latest of his three starts.
"He had a break after the Curragh, but he is progressing," said O'Brien of Bondi Beach.
"He's just ready to start back again. It's his first run after a break and he will progress more after this."
Trainer David Brown is hoping Medrano will put up a good show to confirm his place in next month's St Leger and any cut in the ground would aid his cause.
Winner of the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton last month, Medrano has run creditably against classy opposition on several occasions including when third to Storm The Stars at Goodwood in May.
He was a staying-on fourth behind the O'Brien-trained Highland Reel in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time.
"They've had a bit of rain today which is good," said the Newark handler.
"He came out of his race at Goodwood well and he's ready to go.
"I think we've every chance. He's a good horse and obviously we're trying to go for the Leger. That's the one number target really."