Bookmakers feel they are “dangling a carrot” for punters by easing Camelot’s odds ahead of his bid for Triple Crown glory in Saturday’s St Leger at Doncaster.
Aidan O’Brien’s 2000 Guineas and dual Derby hero bids to become the first horse since the legendary Nijinsky in 1970 to complete the British Classic hat-trick and has been the red-hot favourite since connections confirmed their intentions to travel to Town Moor.
With plenty in hand on the official ratings, it is not surprising the Ballydoyle superstar is a warm order, but race sponsors Ladbrokes pushed the colt’s price out to 2-5 from 1-3 after a field of nine were declared.
“We’re thrilled to bits that Camelot will face eight rivals,” Ladbrokes’ David Williams said.
“It has triggered an each-way frenzy with all but one of his rivals coming in for genuine support.
“We’re dangling a carrot for Camelot fans by going 2-5, which is the biggest price he’s been since mid-summer.”
Ladbrokes have also made adjustments to the prices of the two major contenders for trainer John Gosden, after stable jockey William Buick confirmed he would partner Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Thought Worthy.
He is 8-1 from 10-1 to give the Clarehaven handler his third successive triumph in the world’s oldest Classic, while the passed-over Michelangelo is 12-1 from 10-1, despite the booking of the ever-popular Frankie Dettori.
The Italian rider partnered Gosden’s Shantou to win the St Leger in 1996.
The trainer also saddles outsider and likely pacemaker Dartford.
Buick admits it was a difficult decision to choose between the yard’s two leading hopes, but feels Thought Worthy comes into the race with the best form.
