Logician puts unbeaten record to test against four rivals in Great Voltigeur

3.00 York
Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes | Group 2 | 1m4f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

Logician puts his unbeaten record on the line when he steps up to Group company for the first time in an acid test of his St Leger credentials.

Just as he has been on his previous three outings, the son of Frankel is likely to be sent off favourite to extend the sequence to four, most recently when winning a handicap at Newbury with ease.

Tackling Wednesday's trip of 1m4f for the first time that day, the John Gosden-trained roan was put up 11lb to a mark of 101 which still leaves him shy of some of his rivals on the book.

He may be low on numbers but Logician is big on potential and that Newbury form was given a boost when third-placed Just Hubert won his subsequent two races at Ripon and Sandown.

Gosden was responsible for the last Great Voltigeur winner to follow up in the St Leger, which was Lucarno in 2007, and won it more recently with the classy Cracksman two years ago.

He said: "This has been the plan for Logician since he won at Newbury last time and we'll see how he gets on up in class. It's a different level of competition but he's progressive and is quite versatile. He's been working nicely at home and the track should suit him."

Can Johnston turn back the clock?

Bandari was the last Gordon Stakes winner to follow up in this 17 years ago but, encouragingly, he was trained by Mark Johnston who tries to break the sequence with Nayef Road.

The consistent chestnut had Constantinople back in second when landing the Group 3 contest which a year ago did provide last year's runner-up Cross Counter.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Mohammed Obaida, owner of Nayef Road said: "Nayef Road did it well at Goodwood where he battled hard as all of Mark's do. This is a step up but he deserves to take his chance."

Can Constantinople turn the tables?

Bar Idaho in 2016, Aidan O'Brien has not found the Group 2 contest a happy hunting ground in recent years, but provides 40 per cent of the five-runner field in the shape of Constantinople and likely pacesetter Norway.

Constantinople came off worst in a titanic tussle with Nayef Road at Goodwood but could well turn the tables on this more galloping track.

The son of Galileo was also previously runner-up in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in June when he chased home stablemate and subsequent Curragh winner South Pacific.

O'Brien said: "It was a little bit of a messy race [the Gordon Stakes] but Constantinople has come out of that well and he's been in very good form since then. Norway is in good form as well since his run in the King George at Ascot and we think he can leave that run behind him.”

Can Appleby strike again?

Charlie Appleby recorded a notable one-two in this race a year ago with Old Persian and Cross Counter, and relies on Jalmoud this time who has a bit to find on the book.

On his latest appearance, Jalmoud faded to finish seventh behind Nayef Road and Constantinople in the Gordon Stakes.

Appleby said: “Jalmoud has a bit to find with a couple who finished in front of him in the Gordon Stakes but we feel that the galloping course at York will suit him better. A mile and a half is his optimum trip and a reproduction of some of his form in France this season should make him competitive.”

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