The son of Farhh was cut to 6-1 for the William Hill-sponsored final Classic at Doncaster tomorrow after his second to Masar at Epsom.

But he can now be backed at 14-1 to beat market leaders Kew Gardens and Lah Ti Dar after three subsequent defeats over a mile and a half.

Silvestre De Sousa’s mount now steps up to an extended mile and six furlongs, and Johnston said: “I think it will be a great benefit to him.

“I wouldn’t say he’s not quick enough for a Group 1 over a mile and a half, but he does look like he has one pace.”

The Middleham-based Scot, who last month became the most prolific trainer in British turf history, added: “I can’t say for sure that he’s going to be in the same form as he was in June - it would be nice if we were coming off the back of a good run - but, if he did reproduce the Derby form, he would take all the beating.

“I haven’t thrown many darts at the St Leger - I've had the third three times, so maybe I should have thrown a few more.

“But there’s still time!”