Soldier Of Fortune Friendless For St Leger

>> Betfair market suggests he is odds-on to miss Classic

If the Betfair market is any guide, then Soldier Of Fortune is currently odds-on to miss the Ladbrokes St Leger on September 15th.

Runaway Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune is the stand-out form horse in the race ? indeed, Timeform have him 8lb clear of the field on the strength of that supreme performance ? but he is currently on offer at 9-1 on Betfair, having been laid as high as 14-1 in the past 24 hours.

That is possibly an ominous sign for punters who have backed the colt as low as 7-2 for the race, but Ballydoyle certainly have no lack of able replacements for the race, should he sidestep the Classic.

However, Soldier Of Fortune is also easy to back for the Arc. He is currently available at 13-1 for that race, despite Timeform having him only 2lb shy of Manduro, with the prospect of more improvement to come.

Betfair spokesman Eoin Ryan commented: 'Soldier Of Fortune is as short as 3-1 favourite for the St Leger with other bookmakers and no bigger than 4-1 anywhere.''

'However, as things currently stand, our market suggests that he's unlikely to run there.'

To win St Leger ? Betfair bet: 7-2 Honolulu, 13-2 Lucarno, 8-1 Macarthur, Mahler, 9-1 Soldier Of Fortune, 10-1 Veracity, 14-1 Raincoat

To win Arc ? Betfair bet: 5-2 Authorized, 5-1 Manduro, 7-1 Zambezi Son, 11-1 Dylan Thomas, 12-1 Peeping Fawn, 13-1 Soldier Of Fortune, 18-1 Mandesha.

Current Timeform ratings for St Leger leading contenders (adjusted for weight carried)

• Soldier of Fortune 146+
• Honolulu 138p
• Aqaleem 135
• Lucarno 135
• Yellowstone 133
• Veracity 131
• Macarthur 130p
• Mahler 128

Current Timeform ratings for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe leading contenders (adjusted for weight carried)

• Manduro 143
• Authorized 142
• Soldier of Fortune 141+
• Dylan Thomas 141
• Peeping Fawn 138
• Mandesha 136
• Zambezi Sun 126p
• Sageburg 119p