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Charlie Appleby is aiming 2012 St Leger winner Encke at the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, for which he would have to be supplemented, at Ascot on October 18.

The five-year-old colt denied Camelot the Triple Crown at Doncaster but was then caught up in the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal.

He returned to the track with a fine run at Glorious Goodwood and then finished third behind Brown Panther in the Irish St Leger.

"Encke came out of the Irish St Leger in great nick," said Appleby.

"I'm very happy with him and as long as it is not testing ground he will run at Ascot on Champions Day in the Long Distance Cup.

"That should tell us where we are with him as he'll be stepping up to two miles.

"If he stays it will open up plenty of doors for next year, when he could be a very exciting horse."