Icon odds-on to take Leger prize
Sixties Icon is odds-on to claim glory in the Ladbrokes St Leger on Saturday following the defection of his main market rival, the Mick Channon-trained Youmzain.
The latter’s owner Jaber Abdullah has opted to run his Great Voltigeur winner, who had been as short as 7-2 for the final Classic of the season, in the Prix Niel at Longchamp 24 hours later instead.
Abdullah’s racing manager Bruce Raymond said: “Mr Abdullah thinks Youmzain is unlikely to get the trip in the Leger and has decided to run the colt in the Prix Niel the following day.
“There were only the two options open to us, but if he runs well at Longchamp, Mr Abdullah could consider supplementing him into the Arc on September 28.”
Youmzain is the latest in a long line of contenders to drop out of the mile-and-six-furlong showpiece.
But Red Rocks, only a head behind Youmzain in the Voltigeur, looks increasingly likely to take his chance, although a final decision is not expected until the 48-hour final declaration stage on Thursday.
He was cut to 7-1 by the sponsors following news that Youmzain will miss the race.
However, trainer Brian Meehan is in no rush to commit his charge.
He said: “We will not make a decision until Thursday morning – we will take our time.
“He worked beautifully on Friday though, and it is going to be hard to resist.
“The only thing that might put us off is if they have a lot of rain and the ground is softer than it was at the Ebor meeting.”
Red Rocks has filled the second spot on his three most recent outings but was only nailed in the dying strides last time on the Knavesmire, and Meehan fired a warning shot to his rivals.
He said: “The horse didn’t go to the Voltigeur 100 per cent fit. He was only at 90 percent and he got tired in the closing stages. He has certainly come on for the run.”
Following the news about Youmzain, Sixties Icon was cut to 4-5 with Coral, Stan James and the sponsors.
“Apart from backers of the now odds-on favourite, this year’s St Leger has been a graveyard for ante-post punters, with one contender after another dropping out,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
Vodafone Derby runner-up Dragon Dancer is to oppose Youmzain in the Prix Niel, ending speculation that the colt might be supplemented for the Leger.
Geoff Wragg nominated the Longchamp race as the next port of call for the classy maiden ahead of a possible crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe there on October 1.
Wragg said: “The colt goes for the Niel. He is in good form. Whether he runs in the Arc depends on how he gets on next Sunday.”
