Honolulu Leger Favourite After Aqaleem Setback

Aqaleem has been removed from the betting by the sponsors of the Ladbrokes St Leger after it was revealed he is unlikely to make the line-up.

The Epsom Derby third faces a race against time to be fit for the Doncaster Classic on September 15 after trainer Marcus Tregoning reported Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's colt to have pulled muscles in his hindquarters.

In a statement to PA Sport, Tregoning said: 'Unfortunately Aqaleem has met with a training setback and his participation at this stage has to be in doubt.

'I'm not sure exactly what the problem is but it appears that he has pulled muscles in his hindquarters during some routine work and he will undergo tests.

'It is very unfortunate but these things happen in racing.'

Ladbrokes, who had Aqaleem as their 3-1 market leader, have taken him out for the moment and installed Aidan O'Brien's Honolulu as the new 7-2 favourite ahead of stablemate Soldier Of Fortune at 4-1.

The Magic Sign had seen considerable money for Honolulu, runner-up in last week's Ebor at York.

'We have taken Aqaleem out, although the hope is that the horse recovers and we get him back in the race,' said David Williams of Ladbrokes.

'The price for Honolulu has halved in the last 48 hours and he's our favourite. The weight he carried against older horses behind Purple Moon in the Ebor looked a bit special and along with the news about Aqaleem, that's what the punters have come for.

'Of course Aidan O'Brien will have an enormous influence on this market depending on his running plans.'

The Ballydoyle trainer is responsible for half of the 14 horses left in the world's oldest Classic following the latest forfeit stage.

As well as Honolulu and Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune, he has Queen's Vase victor Mahler, Macarthur, Acapulco, Gordon Stakes winner Yellowstone and Son Of Hiawatha.

(C) PA Sport