Dubai: Storm The Stars holds a decisive edge over his rivals going into the Group 1 St Leger, the final Classic of the British season, which takes place at Doncaster on Saturday.

However, his camp has expressed concern over the three-year-old’s taxing schedule, which has resulted in him contesting eight races, including three demanding Classics.

Trained by William Haggas for Shaikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, the son of Sea The Stars makes his ninth start in just six months when he takes on seven opponents over a gruelling 2,900 metres in the showpiece, which traditionally signals the end of the summer racing calendar in Britain.

Having previously been placed in both the English and Irish Derbies, Storm The Stars ran a huge race under regular rider Pat Cosgrave to win the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York 22 days ago. It was by far the best performance of his short but action-packed career, as he showed plenty of courage to see off the challenge of Irish raider Bondi Beach in a tight finish.

Maureen Haggas, wife of Derby-winning trainer William, feels the youngster has thrived on his racing and will be suited by the St Leger’s extended distance.

“Hopefully, the step up in trip will improve him, but you never really know until you actually go and do it. The signs are that he should be a better horse over a bit further, but it is the end of a long, hard year and he has given us everything so far. If we could get one more big run out of him, that would be great, but he doesn’t really owe us anything.

“I don’t know if he will stay in training next year. That will be up to his owner. It is hard after having a year like he has had to come back next year and compete in all-aged races, as he has only been running against three-year-olds this year. If he can prove he is an effective stayer, then he will have the Cup races as an option next year.

“The St Leger was the obvious way to go as he is a galloper and, the further he goes, the better he should be.”

Irish handler Aidan O’Brien supplies two runners — Bondi Beach and Fields Of Athenry. Order Of St George, a Group Three winner at the Curragh in August, will not run because of the going, which is currently good, good to firm in places, though heavy rain is forecast before the race.

Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Yorkshire Oaks heroine Pleascach takes on a star-studded field headed by Golden Horn and Gleneagles in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.