Galient has 'outside chance' for Leger

Trainer Michael Jarvis believes Galient has “an outside chance” in the Ladbrokes St Leger at York on Saturday.

The Galileo colt banged his head on the stalls and flyjumped on leaving the gate when he finished last of five in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury on his most recent outing.

However, he is none the worse for the experience and is on course for the oldest Classic.

“The idea is to run,” confirmed the Newmarket-based handler said.

“The horse is fine and the owner (Kevan Watts) is very keen to run.

“He’s an outsider but he stays well. He’s one that is guaranteed to get the trip.

“He’s got an outside chance and you can’t make him any better than that. He could possibly run into a place but it’s difficult to see him winning the race.”

Galient has made a lot of the running in his previous races – which included a second to Soapy Danger over two miles in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot – but he does not necessarily have to force the pace.

However, a strong gallop would be in his favour, as Jarvis explained.

He added: “Obviously we know he gets the trip so he wouldn’t want a dawdle or a sprint up the straight but there’s maybe something else in there that wants a decent gallop as well.”

Galient is a 25-1 chance with the sponsors for the Leger behind 10-11 favourite Sixties Icon, Jeremy Noseda’s winner of the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

However, Ladbrokes reported strong support for the Brian Meehan-trained Red Rocks after 12 horses were left in at the confirmation stage

“Red Rocks is the significant market mover into 5-1 from 7-1,” said David Williams of Ladbrokes.

“Question marks still remain over whether he’ll get the Leger trip but with conditions in his favour he’s now emerged as the most serious contender to Sixties Icon at the head of the betting.

“We’re delighted he’s returning to York for the big race.”

Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Paul Reddam, confirmed that Red Rocks remains a likely runner – although no final decision has been made.

He said: “It looks like the ground at York will be similar to, or even better, than it was for the Great Voltigeur and everything is looking positive for now.

“Brian (Meehan) will talk to Paul Reddam and a decision will be made later this week.

“It’s very exciting to be involved with a horse like this and you can’t beat having a runner in a Classic.”

Marcus Tregoning – trainer of Jadalee, who was runner-up to Sixties Icon at Goodwood before winning the March Stakes at the West Sussex venue – reported the colt to be in “top form”.

He said: “There’s a better than good chance that he’s going to line up and the plan is to run, providing everything goes well this week.

“He took on older horses last time on a track that probably doesn’t suit him and won, and we know he stays the trip well.

“He came out of his last race very well and we are very happy with him. He may do a little bit of work tomorrow morning.

“The track at York won’t be a problem and as long as the ground is not very testing it should be fine.

“Jadalee is an out-and-out galloper and he’ll stay two miles in time – I hope he’ll be a Cup horse one day.

“He’s a late-maturing type and getting better with every race and you would have to think he’d run very well indeed in the St Leger.”

York clerk of the course William Derby described the ground as good to soft, good in places.

“The forecast is for it to remain dry into Tuesday morning,” he said.

“The Met Office is predicting that a cold front will move across the country on Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday, which could give us some rain.

“High pressure is then predicted to build on Thursday to give us a brighter, sunnier and drier end to the week.”

Ladbrokes St Leger betting:

Ladbrokes: 10-11 Sixties Icon, 5-1 Red Rocks, 8-1 Jadalee, Tusculum, 12-1 Mountain, 14-1 Fire And Rain, 16-1 Ask, Puerto Rico, 25-1 Galient, Mont Etoile, 33-1 Championship Point, 50-1 The Last Drop.

Coral: 4-5 Sixties Icon, 7-1 Red Rocks, Jadalee, Tusculum, 12-1 Ask, Mountain, Fire And Rain, 16-1 Puerto Rico, 20-1 Galient, Mont Etoile, 25-1 Championship Point, 40-1 The Last Drop.