'He's a talented colt and he wasn't stopping at York' - Wayne Lordan excited about the prospect of partnering St Leger favourite

Illinois has emerged as the undisputed number one from Ballydoyle for Saturday's Betfred St Leger, and the number-two rider at Aidan O'Brien's all-conquering stable is convinced the colt has what it takes to be a major player in Britain's final Classic of the season. 

Wayne Lordan will be on board Illinois at Doncaster as Ryan Moore is needed at Leopardstown for the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival, when he will bid for back-to-back wins in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on Auguste Rodin. 

Lordan has already won four Group 1s for O'Brien, including a pair of 1,000 Guineas victories on Winter and Hermosa, and has a big chance of adding to that tally with Illinois, who is no bigger than 7-4 to provide his trainer with an eighth St Leger success after sustained support over the last fortnight.