Dubai: Few races can match the rich heritage of the St Leger (G1) and Saturday’s renewal of the final Classic of the British season looks to have the makings to enrich that reputation.

A high-class field of 14 horses, including six with Dubai connections, will vie for honours in the 2,800m contest that was first run in 1776 and has been won by greats like Oh So Sharp (1985), User Friendly (1992), Classic Cliche (1995) and Encke (2012) in recent times.

John Gosden, who boasts a strong record in the race with four wins since Shantou in 1996, saddles three runners — third favourite Romsdal, Forever Now and Marzocco.

William Buick has chosen to partner Epsom Derby (G1) third Romsdal, who is owned by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Robert Havlin-ridden Marzocco could act as a pacemaker for Romsdal, who Norway-born Buick believes represents his best chance of winning the St Leger for a third time.

Earlier this week, Buick wrote in his At The Races blog: “I’ll always have a soft spot for the Ladbrokes St Leger because it was the race in which I rode my first British Group One — and Classic — winner with Arctic Cosmos back in 2010.

“I won it again in 2011 with Masked Marvel and, after shuffling the cards for 2014, I’ve decided that if I’m going to get a third on Saturday then it’s going to be with Romsdal.

“On the face of it, the decision might have looked easy with Forever Now rated 106 and Romsdal 9lb higher, but the fact is that I’ve only ridden Romsdal once in his five starts this season, whereas I’ve been with Forever Now on all five outings, winning twice,” he added.

“He’s got plenty of courage and stays very well, but in the end I just gave the nod to Romsdal on having the better overall level of form and that when I did ride him we were only beaten a nose by Orchestra in the Chester Vase over 12 [furlongs], staying on strongly.

“I’ve made my decision — I think it’s the right one so here’s hoping.”

Mark Johnston has three chances in Alex My Boy, Eclipse third Somewhat and Royal Ascot winner Hartnell as he bids to win the race for the first time.

Stable jockey Joe Fanning takes the ride on Hartnell, who represents Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

A son of 2007 Epsom Derby winner Authorised, Hartnell proved himself proficient over longer distances when winning the Queens Vase.

Sir Michael Stoute runs two, headed by Great Voltigeur runner-up Snow Sky, the mount of James Doyle.

Richard Hannon saddles Windshear, while Aidan O’Brien relies on Granddukeoftuscany

Alex My Boy will be ridden by Godolphin pilot Silvestre De Sousa, while Franny Norton will be reunited with Somewhat, whom he rode to finish third behind Mukhadram in this season’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1).

The Derby runner-up Kingston Hill is the ante-post favourite, but trainer Roger Varian has warned that the going must be in his favour if he is to participate.

“I’ve spoken to Roderick [Duncan, clerk of the course] and he knows my position. It will either be good enough for me to run or it won’t,” Varian told the Sporting Life.