Age all the rage as Godolphin ground fears grow

Age Of Aquarius proved popular today with punters ahead of Saturday's St Leger at Doncaster after Godolphin issued a ground warning over ante-post favourite Kite Wood.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was cut to 5-2 joint-favourite with Victor Chandler for the final Classic of the season after Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said the runaway winner of Newbury's Geoffrey Freer Stakes was up to 10lb worse on fast going.

With a settled week expected, Crisford said last night: "He is much better with cut in the ground and fast ground will work against him - he's 5lb to 10lb better off on a slower track.

"I'll be disappointed if he's not in the frame, but we haven't seen any gears yet. I think a horse with gears will be better on the day."

And backers appear to have taken him at his word, according to Victor Chandler's spokesman Neal Wilkins. He said: "While there has been some interest in Kite Wood, the Ballydoyle horses have been well supported. Age Of Aquarius, in particular, has been very popular.

"In the last week he's been backed from 7-2 and we respect the high-profile clients who have been involved in the contraction of the odds. He could well start favourite come Saturday.