KEVIN RYAN has lofty ambitions next year for Salateen.

The Sutton Bank trainer watched the juvenile score in the 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Nursery, on the opening day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, and believes a Classic tilt is not entirely out of the question.

"A race like the Guineas is a long way off," he said, "but a mile will suit him very well and we do rate him very highly."

Salateen, ridden by Jamie Spencer, could hardly have taken yesterday's seven-furlong contest more easily, drawing clear of Goring and When Will It End through the final furlong to defy top-weight by a length and three quarters.

The race represented a drop in class for the son of Dutch Art, who had run fifth in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last month after winning his maiden by seven lengths.

"We had him in a Listed race later in the week, but with the thought that the ground might dry out a bit we took the easier option," added Ryan.

"It's not that he's ground-dependent, but he's a beautiful-actioned horse and we didn't want to risk jarring him up. He's a big raw horse and there's plenty more to come. Next year is going to be the year with him and we'll look after him and let him mature.

"He may have one more run this year and if he does he'll be back up into stakes company."

Meanwhile, Dale Gibson brought the well-backed Bob (8-1) home to win the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends race.