Yeats all the rage for Leger
Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old, off the track since disappointing in France in June, is now 3-1 from 5s with Cashmans after some strong support, with William Hill and Ladbrokes both offering the same price.
Vinnie Roe, who will be bidding for an amazing fifth consecutive win in the race, is 5-2 favourite with Hills while Ladbrokes make him the 11-4 market leader along with John Oxx’s Shalapour.
British raider Collier Hill is set to jet out to Dublin today after pleasing trainer Alan Swinbank in his final piece of work.
The globetrotting seven-year-old won in Dubai over the winter and was last seen finishing second to Gonbarda in a Group One at Dusseldorf in July.
“He has done his final piece of work before he goes out to Ireland. He’s as well as we can get him and it’s a big day,” said Swinbank.
“He’s very, very well and we’re hopeful but I would say it’s a tough contest for him.
“He’s fit and well - in fact I think he could be better than he was in Dubai.”
Swinbank has decided to bypass a trip to Sweden in favour of the Irish contest and a meeting with Vinnie Roe.
Weld’s charge was second in the Emirates Melbourne Cup last year and Swinbank is hoping to get a line through that horse before committing Collier Hill to a trip Down Under.
“The whole idea about going to the Curragh on Saturday rather than Stockholm on Sunday, where we could probably win, is to see where we are with Vinnie Roe and the Melbourne Cup.
“I think that Vinnie Roe has 9st 2lb in the Melbourne Cup and we have 8st 10lb so if we are within two or three lengths, we would seriously think about going.”
Collier Hill will be stepping back up to 14 furlongs for the first time since finishing ninth in last year’s Ebor but Swinbank is certain the extra distance will suit.
“A mile six would be his real trip. All the other Group races he’s run in have been a mile four but this would be his proper trip,” he added.
Collier Hill is a best-priced 16-1 with Cashmans for Saturday’s Classic race.
Irish Field St Leger betting:
Ladbrokes: 11-4 Shalapour, Vinnie Roe, 3-1 Yeats, 8-1 Gamut, 12-1 Collier Hill, Franklins Gardens, Mkuzi, Songlark, 20-1 Acropolis, 40-1 bar.
Cashmans: 5-2 Shalapour, Vinnie Roe, 3-1 Aidan O’Brien stable (Yeats, Acropolis & Hippodrome), 8-1 Godolphin stable (Cherry Mix & Songlark), Gamut, 12-1 Franklins Gardens, 16-1 Collier Hill, 20-1 The Whistling Teal, Mkuzi, 33-1 Cloone River, Cutting Crew, 50-1 bar.
Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien dominates the entries for Sunday’s Laing O’Rourke National Stakes at the Curragh with 2000 Guineas favourite George Washington leading the charge.
The Danehill colt is the general 4-1 favourite for the Classic after notching a facile success in the Phoenix Stakes last time out.
George Washington could bid to make it a Group One double if he steps up to seven furlongs for the first time this weekend.
O’Brien has also entered the Guineas second favourite Horatio Nelson in addition to the Prix Morny runner-up Ivan Denisovich as part of his five-strong challenge.
Aussie Rules, a close second in a Group Three race last time, and Anglesey Stakes winner Amigoni complete the Ballydoyle challenge.
Mick Channon also holds a strong hand with the highly-rated Hazeymm and French Listed winner Zato entered while David Wachman could step the unbeaten Heatseeker up to the top level.
Crookhaven, Duff and Golden Arrow complete the 11 possibles.
