Sir Dragonet flying at home and the one to beat in St Leger, says Donnacha O'Brien

Donnacha O’Brien told Racing TV viewers on Thursday that Sir Dragonet is “absolutely flying at home” and believes the colt is the one the others all have to beat in the William Hill St Leger on Saturday.

O’Brien will partner Sir Dragonet for his father, Aidan, on Town Moor with Ryan Moore, the No 1 jockey at Ballydoyle, instead in action at Leopardstown for Irish Champions Weekend.

The unbeaten Logician, trained by John Gosden, is the general Evens favourite for the final Classic of the year but O’Brien Jr reckons the grey will have to raise his game to repel Sir Dragonet, who is a general 3-1 to give O’Brien Sr a seventh success in the feature.

After riding the first winner on the card at Listowel on Thursday, O’Brien Jr told Gary O’Brien: “I ride him [Sir Dragonet] in al his work [and] he’s absolutely flying at home. He gives a very good feel and I’m right looking forward to it.

“It’s always an unknown when you step up in distance but he looks to have every chance of staying. It’s an unknown for plenty of horses in the race but I think he goes there with a big chance.”

When the topic turned to Logician, he added: “I think he’s a nice horse but he’s going to have to improve to run to my level of form. My lad is the one to beat.”

Sir Dragonet was unraced as a two-year-old and has run only four times this year. His best effort was when a close fifth in the Derby, when he went off 11-4 favourite.

Ballydoyle will also be represented by Lonsdale Cup third Il Paradiso and rank outsider Western Australia.

Logician has dominated the ante-post betting after claiming his fourth victory from as many starts in the Great Voltigeur at York last month.

The son of Frankel seeks to provide his trainer with a fifth victory in the showpiece on, and his Dettori with a sixth.

Sir Ron Priestley steps up in grade, having won five of his six starts this season for Mark Johnston – who also saddles Nayef Road.

Martyn Meade’s Geoffrey Freer Stakes winner Technician and Dashing Willoughby, from Andrew Balding’s yard, are the other hopefuls.