Punters Putting Faith In Percy

Confidence is growing behind Sir Percy's bid for glory in Saturday's Emirates Airlines Champion stakes at Newmarket as the three-year-old burns up the gallops under big-race jockey Martin Dwyer.

Having seen significant support for Marcus Tregoning's charge, Coral have been forced to cut him half a point to 7-2 joint-favourite along with Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Pride.

Explaining the move, the Barking-based firm's spokesman Simon Clare said: 'The people backing Sir Percy today are as shrewd as they come, which suggests the horse is well fancied to win the Champion Stakes on Saturday.'

Sir Percy has been off the course since returning sore after his thrilling victory in the Vodafone Derby back in June.

He then suffered a further setback when pulling a shoulder muscle in the run-up to the Arc, a race his connections had been considering for his comeback along with the Champion.

'He was working well and getting ready to run in the Arc and then just pulled a muscle so it was just one of those things that took the decision out of our hands,' explained Dwyer.

'Marcus has given him a bit more time and, touch-wood, he's bounced back and he's raring to go.'

Despite his mount enduring a far from straightforward summer, Dwyer is thrilled with his current well-being and cannot wait to get back aboard in this weekend's #350,000 thriller.

'We put the finishing touches on him this morning, he's in great form and I wouldn't want to ride anything else in the race,' he told At The Races.

'I think it'll be a great race, but maybe the soft ground might scare a few away.

'My horse is in great form, we galloped him this morning and he feels as good now if not better than he did in the spring.'

Of the Mark Of Esteem colt, who will attempt to follow in the hoofprints of Tregoning's 2001 hero Nayef, Dwyer concluded: 'I think they've all got me to beat and I think he's got a great chance.'

(C) PA Sport