Dettori closes gap

Frankie Dettori began a week in which he goes in pursuit of a third successive St Leger with a success at Bath that takes him within two wins of his title rival Kieren Fallon. Dettori, who had been banned for five days, scored on Jaseur, while Fallon drew a blank from four rides. The scoresheet for the turf-season title now reads 132-130.

Dettori, who has won the last two St Legers on Classic Cliche and Shantou, rides Stowaway in Saturday's final Classic. Six horses were withdrawn at yesterday's declaration stage, leaving 13 to go to post for the pounds 230,000 contest.

Godolphin plan to run Haltarra as well as Stowaway, while Sheikh Mohammed also has King Sound and Crown Of Light in the race.

Mick Channon will saddle his first St Leger runner, Poseidon, who has not run since he finished second to Stowaway in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood in July. "I have been thrilled with him since and he is in great form," Channon said. "The million-dollar question is whether he is good enough and whether he will stay."

Arlington International in Chicago, home of the Arlington Million and one of the premier tracks in the US, faces an uncertain future after withdrawing its application for 1998 fixtures. Economic factors, including competition from riverboat gambling, have been blamed.