Youmzain heads to Longchamp
Youmzain is to bypass the Ladbrokes St Leger for which he was second favourite in the ante-post market.
The colt’s owner Jaber Abdullah has decided to run his Great Voltigeur winner in the Prix Niel at Longchamp a week tomorrow instead.
As short as 7-2 for next Saturday’s Classic at York, the three-year-old’s owner believes there is a big doubt over the colt’s ability to stay the one-mile-six-furlong trip on the Knavesmire.
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, who advertised his claims for the Leger with a success in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, is the latest in a long line of contenders to drop out of the final Classic of the season.
But Red Rocks, only a head behind Youmzain, in the Voltigeur, looks increasingly likely to take his chance in the Leger, 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, the hot favourite Sixties Icon has been 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.
William Haggas has delayed a crucial workout for his Leger entry Mont Etoile.
The Newmarket trainer is worried about testing conditions on the Knavesmire and is playing it a day at a time with his Ribblesdale Stakes winner.
He said: “Mont Etoile did not work this morning and will do so either tomorrow or Monday.
“She needs to go well in that gallop in order to stay in the race and if she does I shall be carefully monitoring the weather.”
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.”
Ladbrokes St Leger betting:
Sponsors: 4-5 Sixties Icon, 7-1 Red Rocks, 8-1 Jadalee, Tusculum, 10-1 Mountain, 12-1 Fire And Rain, 16-1 Ask, Puerto Rico, 25-1 Galient, Mont Etoile, 33-1 Ermine Sea, The Last Drop, 40-1 bar.
Coral: 4-5 Sixties Icon, 7-1 Jadalee, Red Rocks, 8-1 Tusculum, 12-1 Fire And Rain, Mountain, 16-1 Puerto Rico, 20-1 Galient, Mont Etoile, 33-1 Book Of Music, Championship Point, Ermine Sea, 40-1 bar.
