If there is justice, any rainclouds around Doncaster will disperse on a warm and pleasant breeze. Nowhere is more deserving of a sun-kissed fate than racing in the north of England. May the despair of York's abandonment last month turn to elation for the folk of Yorkshire, whose love of the sport is pronounced.

The portents are encouraging for the four-day meeting, which opens for business tomorrow. And with Aidan O'Brien again mob-handed in a British classic, a large field is assured for the Ladbrokes St Leger on Saturday. That has the makings of a rare occasion in that O'Brien's massed ranks could well outnumber the rest of the field.

One of them, Frozen Fire, the Irish Derby winner, is opposed by another classic winner in Look Here. The quality stacks up. Conversely, the world's oldest classic is pocked by the entry of Maidstone Mixture, who prepped for the race by winning over hurdles at Cartmel. Distinctly more Folkestone than Doncaster, Maidstone Mixture is owned by that Kent-based dreamer, Fergus Wilson.

Wilson, who made his fortune from buy-to-let properties, is entitled to his moment. What he derives from it is hard to fathom. Should he desire a snapshot of the views of others, he might borrow from his workplace and “let out” his horse for the day. The credit crunch would not be to blame for the paucity of bids.

As for the likely winner, few can be dismissed as summarily as Maidstone Mixture. Frozen Fire is talented and tender, but yet to deliver consistently. Look Here is consistent and tough, but yet to deliver brilliance. Then there's Conduit, Doctor Fremantle and Warringah from Sir Michael Stoute's stable - that has yet to lift the prize.

Stoute first tried 34 years ago with Abide With Me, who finished fifth. Since then, punters abiding with him have had their fingers badly burnt. Stoute has since saddled five runners-up, yet not even Shergar could manage that. He finished out of the frame behind Cut Above, one of three from the Dick Hern yard.

O'Brien will doubtless espouse the virtues of strength in depth. With 18 previous runners, his three St Leger winners deliver at a ratio of 1:6. With eight intended runners this time, the race is as good as over. If only it were that simple. And talking of strength in depth, many anticipate that the fair ladies of York, their frocks still uncreased from the Ebor meeting, will parade them at Doncaster instead. In which case Thursday will live long in the legend.

That would be one bonus; another is the rescheduled Sprint Cup from Haydock's abandoned meeting on Saturday. As if to offset the St Leger's stamina-laden heart, the group one dash is to precede the classic. And there's resonance in the detail that prize-money in excess of £1 million is available on Saturday.

All in all, Doncaster promises relief from the rain-induced frustration of the past four weeks - provided that the skies are compliant.

As for O'Brien's sizeable troupe, it makes a perfect vignette of the British season to date. Even the combined ranks of British trainers have struggled to keep the Irish master at bay. So large is his taskforce that any number of conspiracy theories are in danger of spawning. Never mind the opposition, the most likely explanation for any suggestion of team tactics is that Ballydoyle's squad will find it hard to keep out of one another's way.

As for the winner, we return to the beginning and the desire for a therapeutic wind. Step forward, Doctor Fremantle, and invigorate the folk of Yorkshire. Like the western Australian breeze, his freshness towards the close of a long season will be a great asset.