Scorpion still heads Leger market

Grand Prix de Paris winner Scorpion remains the even-money favourite with the sponsors for the Ladbrokes St Leger following the latest forfeit stage.

Aidan O’Brien’s Montjeu colt, who finished second to Hurricane Run in the Budweiser Irish Derby prior to his Longchamp success, is set to face the lightly-raced Hard Top in the final domestic Classic of the season at Doncaster on September 10.

The latter, winner of last week’s Great Voltigeur Stakes, will try to provide seven-times champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute with a victory in one of the few major races still to elude him.

The Geezer, who finished second to Hard Top at York, along with the Great Voltigeur third and fourth, Avalon and Kong, are others remaining in the St Leger while the John Oxx-trained Shalapour could bid to give his owner, the Aga Khan, a first success in the world’s oldest Classic.

Kong’s trainer John Dunlop looks to have a powerful hand that also includes the rapidly-improving York handicap winner Tawqeet and Unfurled.

Chester Vase winner Hattan, who finished sixth in the Vodafone Derby, could represent trainer Clive Brittain, while Mr Vegas, a facile winner of the Listed Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket’s July Meeting, is another engaged.

There is a £25,000 supplementary entry stage for the St Leger on September 5 and among those who could be added to the field is Godolphin’s Centaurus, a 15-length winner of a Newmarket conditions event this month and a likely starter in the Listed March Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

Ladbrokes’ latest betting: Evens Scorpion, 4-1 Hard Top, 6-1 Avalon, 8-1 Shalapour, The Geezer, 16-1 Tawqeet, 25-1 Kong, Unfurled, 33-1 Mr Vegas, 50-1 Hattan.