No Decision On Rocks

Connections of Red Rocks will leave it late before deciding whether to tackle the Ladbrokes St Leger at York on Saturday week.

The son of Galileo finished a head second to Youmzain in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last week, the mile-and-a-half event widely acknowledged as the leading Leger trial.

However, trainer Brian Meehan and owner Paul Reddam are considering whether to bypass the mile-and-six-furlong Classic in favour of a crack at the 10-furlong Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on October 14.

'We haven't made a decision yet, but the Leger is still a possibility,' said Meehan.

'The Champion Stakes is also under consideration and we will make a decision next week.'

Red Rocks has been a consistent performer this term, winning his first two starts before finishing as runner-up on three occasions including the Group One Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

Meehan's charge is as short as 7-1 with Coral for the Leger, while the sponsors go 8-1 about his Classic chances.

Mick Channon, meanwhile, played down suggestions that Youmzain may be taken out of the field due to concerns he will not get the trip.

The West Ilsley trainer said: 'The horse has come out of the Voltigeur brilliant.

'It's a #250,000 race for three-year-olds only.

'He's in to run as far as I'm concerned and it would be a complete no-brainer not to.'

Channon is set to be double-handed with Championship Point also on course to take his chance ? despite failing to sparkle when ninth of 10 runners in the Voltigeur.

'I was very disappointed but he sweated up and the ground might have been softer than ideal,' Channon added.

But Linas Selection, as short as 10-1 with the sponsors, has been ruled out after suffering a setback.

The Mark Johnston-trained colt, who is owned by Renata Jacobs, was a creditable third behind Leger favourite Sixties Icon on his last start in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

However, he has suffered a problem which means he is unlikely to be seen again this term.

Mrs Jacobs' racing manager Gary Coffey said: 'Linas Selection has had a minor setback and will not run in the Leger.

'The problem emerged after his run at Goodwood and means he is unlikely to be seen on the track for the remainder of the year.'

The news is a second blow within a week for Mrs Jacobs after stablemate and fellow Leger possible Soapy Danger was injured at York.

Coffey added: 'It comes soon after the reverse to Soapy Danger who fractured his pelvis in the Great Voltigeur and is another blow, but we've had great fun with both of them this season.

'Neither has enjoyed an interrupted campaign and Mark has done well to achieve what he has with them.

'Soapy Danger required surgery but is doing well and we'll have a better idea about his future before too long.'

Stan James responded by tightening up Sixties Icon to 11-10 favourite for the September 9 event, while they also report some support for Aidan O'Brien's Tusculum, who is now 12-1 from 14s.

Youmzain is a 4-1 chance, while Championship Point is a best-priced 50-1 with William Hill.

(C) PA Sport