No decision on whether Red Rocks will run in St Leger
The son of Galileo finished a head second to Youmzain in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last week, the mile-and-a-half event widely acknowledged as the leading Leger trial.
However, trainer Brian Meehan and owner Paul Reddam are considering whether to bypass the mile-and-six-furlong Classic in favour of a crack at the 10-furlong Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on October 14.
“We haven’t made a decision yet, but the Leger is still a possibility,” said Meehan.
“The Champion Stakes is also under consideration and we will make a decision next week.”
Red Rocks has been a consistent performer this term, winning his first two starts before finishing as runner-up on three occasions including the Group One Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
Meehan’s charge is as short as 7-1 with Coral for the Leger, while the sponsors go 8-1 about his Classic chances.
Mick Channon, meanwhile, played down suggestions that Youmzain may be taken out of the field due to concerns he will not get the trip.
The West Ilsley trainer said: “The horse has come out of the Voltigeur brilliant.
“It’s a £250,000 race for three-year-olds only.
“He’s in to run as far as I’m concerned and it would be a complete no-brainer not to.”
Channon is set to be double-handed with Championship Point also on course to take his chance – despite failing to sparkle when ninth of 10 runners in the Voltigeur. “I was very disappointed but he sweated up and the ground might have been softer than ideal,” Channon added.
But Linas Selection, as short as 10-1 with the sponsors, has been ruled out after suffering a setback.
The Mark Johnston-trained colt was a creditable third behind Leger favourite Sixties Icon on his last start at Goodwood but has suffered a problem which means he is unlikely to be seen again this term.
