Murtagh to ride Age of Aquarius in St Leger
Bookmakers reported solid support for Aidan O’Brien’s Grand Prix de Paris runner-up, while interest in the Godolphin-owned Kite Wood waned after connections continued to express concern about conditions going against the Geoffrey Freer Stakes winner.
The money for the O’Brien three-year-old suggested he would be the mount of Murtagh, a booking later confirmed by the rider’s agent, Eddie Byrne, who said: “Johnny is going to Doncaster and will ride Age Of Aquarius.”
Murtagh said: “Age Of Aquarius ran really well in France the last day and I’m really looking forward to Saturday.”
Murtagh’s other weekend option was at the Curragh, where the mighty Yeats is set to reappear in the Irish Field St Leger.
Age Of Aquarius was clipped into 5-2 from 11-4 with Paddy Power while Kite Wood went in the opposite direction to 11-4 from 5-2.
“Punters have taken heed of Godolphin’s warning that Kite Wood is 5lb to 10lb better on a slower track and come in for Age Of Aquarius accordingly,” said spokesman Paddy Power.
“The latter was beaten by a very decent tool in the Grand Prix de Paris and the step up in trip should suit him well.”
Age Of Aquarius is 5-2 market leader with Ladbrokes as the sponsors eased Kite Wood out to 3-1 from 5-2. Father Time was their best-backed horse, being cut to 6-1 from 8-1.
Ladbrokes St Leger betting:
Ladbrokes: 5-2 Age Of Aquarius, 3-1 Kite Wood, 5-1 Changingoftheguard, 6-1 Father Time, Monitor Closely, 10-1 Mourayan, 16-1 Mastery, 50-1 bar.
William Hill: 11-4 Age Of Aquarius, 3-1 Kite Wood, 5-1 Changingoftheguard, 6-1 Monitor Closely, 8-1 Father Time, 9-1 Mourayan, 16-1 Mastery, 100-1 bar.
Paddy Power: 5-2 Age Of Aquarius, 11-4 Kite Wood, 9-2 Changingoftheguard, 6-1 Monitor Closely, 7-1 Father Time, 9-1 Mourayan, 14-1 Mastery, 66-1 bar.
Cashmans: 5-2 Age Of Aquarius, 11-4 Kite Wood, 9-2 Changingoftheguard, 6 Monitor Closely, 8 Father Time, 9 Mourayan, 12 Mastery, 100 Bar
