Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope will almost certainly miss the St Leger despite winning the Great Voltigeur at York recently.
The Voltigeur has proved a stepping stone to St Leger stardom for many a top-class stayer in its history, but connections of Telescope are not convinced that a stamina test is what he needs, and have all but ruled out a trip to Doncaster.
The colt has always been highly thought of and at one-time was talked of as a Derby horse before meeting with a setback that ruled him out of the Dante.
A demolition of just two rivals on his comeback at Leicester saw him fancied for a Group race at Haydock, but he met with defeat before redeeming his reputation on the Knavesmire next time.
Now it would appear that a drop back in trip for a tilt at the Qipco Champion Stakes is next on the agenda for the son of Galileo.
Highclere managing director Harry Herbert confirmed the decision, saying: “Sir Michael Stoute did not want to run in the Leger and I definitely think it’s the right move.
“Sir Michael is not convinced about running him over that distance in a race as tough as the Leger.”
However, he did not entirely rule out adding him to the field for the St Leger, or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over a mile and a half, but he is now almost certain to head to Ascot on Champions Day, a move echoed by a tweet from Highclere.
It read: “Telescope will not run in the Ladbrokes St Leger. His likely next start will be in the QIPCO Champion Stakes in October.”
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