Soldier odds-on to miss Classic?

Soldier Of Fortune is currently odds-on to miss the Ladbrokes St Leger, if the Betfair market is to be believed. The runaway Irish Derby winner is the stand-out form horse in the race – Timeform have him 8lb clear of the field based on that hugely impressive 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 in favour of the Arc.

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

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "Soldier Of Fortune is as short as 3/1 favourite for the Leger with other bookmakers, and a top price of only 4/1.

"But if our market is any guide – and I must stress that, because of the uncertain running plans over the Ballydoyle sextet, trading has been very light – then he is currently odds-on to miss the race."

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

To win Arc: 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 (Betfair)

(Editor's Note: will Soldier of Fortune miss the St Leger? Check out all the latest horse racing prices on Betfair!)