Lermontov could make a belated seasonal debut in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Tuesday, for which 13 entries were confirmed today.
Aidan O`Brien`s colt has not been seen out since he finished a one-and-a-quarter-length second to Aristotle in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October, having been slow to come to hand this year.
The Ballydoyle trainer also has Apollo Victoria, who was reported to be temporarily lame after finishing last of eight in a Listed race at the Curragh in May, in the 12-furlong Group Two contest.
Michael Jarvis` Rothmans Royals St Leger hope Marienbard is on course for the Great Voltigeur, which carries a total prize fund of #150,000.
'The idea is to use the race as a trial for the St Leger,' the Newmarket trainer said today.
'He`s a very nice horse and is learning all the time.
'The form of his Haydock race (beat another of Tuesday`s entries Air Marshall a head) has worked out well. Michael Stoute`s horse has gone on to run a good race at Goodwood (beaten a short head in the Peugeot Gordon Stakes).'
Marienbard is currently a 14-1 chance with Blue Square for the St Leger.
Sir Michael Stoute could be doubly-represented as he also has Queen`s Vase victor Dalampour among the entries. Dalampour is currently priced at 5-1 favourite with Blue Square for the Doncaster Classic.
Henry Cecil, who last won the race with Belmez in 1990, has Royal Ascot winner Subtle Power in this time.
Give The Slip, a close fourth in the Gordon Stakes, is still in the Great Voltigeur. However, Amanda Perrett`s charge is prominent in the betting for the Tote Ebor the following afternoon and may wait for the big handicap.
Great Voltigeur Stakes entries: Subtle Power (trained by Henry Cecil), Air Marshall (Sir Michael Stoute), Apollo Victoria (Aidan O`Brien, Ireland), Dalampour (Sir Michael Stoute), French Fellow (Tim Easterby), Give The Slip (Mrs Amanda Perrett), Going Global (Sean Woods), Lermontov (Aidan O`Brien, Ireland), Marienbard (Michael Jarvis), Port Vila (John Gosden), Savoir Vivre (John Gosden), Talaash (Mick Channon), Zafonium (Paul Cole).
