DERBY winner HE'S REALLY OK and narrow runner-up BRUCEONTHELOOSE are at it again tomorrow afternoon, clashing in the Jamaica St Leger, going two furlongs shorter than the Derby distance of 12 furlongs.

Despite POSEIDON running on within a length of the top pair in the Derby, HE'S REALLY OK and BRUCEONTHELOOSE have clearly separated themselves from the pack as far as class is concerned.

The 1000 Guineas and Oaks winning filly SAINT CECELIA got a rude awakening in the Derby as the colts gave her a lesson in pace, which will again be the deciding factor.

She has worked better in preparation for the St Leger but her 10-furlong time in the Oaks, which ruled her out as a Derby contender, will again work against her as the top colts have proven to be more resolute runners in excess of a mile.

HE'S REALLY OK and BRUCEONTHELOOSE won't be waiting around for anybody, as the Derby showed, and their kick from the half-mile should again cripple the entire field.

Any attempt to go with them will simply mean having no chance up the lane, hence the mountain SAINT CECELIA has to climb.

POSEIDON will have Brian Harding, his fourth jockey in as many races, as his backers and connections continue to make excuses.

It was said he was too late in the Derby but, then again, he was too early in the Lotto Classic and weakened.

The intrigue is really between the top two, improved HE'S REALLY OK and classy BRUCEONTHELOOSE.

overpowering

HE'S REALLY OK's Derby performance, a fearless one, effortlessly tracking and overpowering BRUCEONTHELOOSE close home, not at the wire as some people tend to believe.

In the rush for the wire, it was actually BRUCEONTHELOOSE who weakened first under relentless pressure and had to be roused by Winston Griffiths in the final half-furlong.

Trainer Philip Feanny has fitted BRUCEONTHELOOSE with a figure-eight, the equipment which turned around HE'S REALLY OK in his stall.

The manner in which HE'S REALLY OK tracked and beat BRUCEONTHELOOSE suggests he won't be beaten for pace as he did all asked of him in what was a virtual cat-and-mouse game into the lane.

Paul Francis had said he was watching Griffiths the entire way, meaning he could have taken the fight to BRUCEONTHELOOSE anytime he wanted to.

Don't be surprised if it's Feanny's runner who could be doing the chasing this time around.

HE'S REALLY OK has sizzled at exercise, a mile in 1:41.4, beating JAYLEN, whereas BRUCEONTHELOOSE hasn't dipped under 1:28.2 in two seven-furlong workouts.

BRUCEONTHELOOSE will be tough but HE'S REALLY OK has come into his own and will be hard to beat after that Derby performance.