Aquarius defection leaves Kite Wood as favourite; RACING.

Byline: CHRIS WRIGHT

KITE WOOD is the new market leader for tomorrow's Ladbrokes St Leger following the surprise withdrawal of ante-post favourite Age Of Aquarius.

Aidan O'Brien-trained colt had been backed into favouritism this week, but following a less-thansatisfactory work-out the Grand Prix de Paris second was not among the final eight declarations yesterday. O'Brien said: "We were not 100% happy with him after his canter this morning and decided not to declare him."

Ballydoyle stable jockey Johnny Murtagh will now partner the second favourite and Ebor runner-up Changingoftheguard, who is a best-priced 10-1 with Coral. Colm O'Donoghue rides stablemate and likely pacemaker Von J awlensky.

Godolphin's Kite Wood is now a best-priced 5-2 with William Hill, but the Lawrie Inman-owned Monitor Closely is a real contender and is on offer at 5-1 with Boylesports.

The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Monitor Closely was fourth in the Dante and landed the Great Voltigeur Stakes - the best Leger trial in recent years.

Connections had a boost yesterday when Kieren Fallon partnered Coordinated Cut cemented his position as favourite for next year-s Derby when justifying 10-11 favouritism to win the in the crownhotelbawtry.

com EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster yesterday.

The Montjeu colt is 20-1 with several firms including Coral.

Imman played down the horse's Derby chances at this early stage. But on Monitor Closely, he said: "I was pretty confident before the Voltigeur and if he stays, he must have a chance. I think the for m of the Voltigeur has been underrated. We were always quite confident of his ability over a mile and a quarter but in the Voltigeur, the further he went, the better he went." TODAY'S NAP: Rose Blossom (1.35pm Doncaster)

CAPTION(S):

Coordinated Cut and Kieren Fallon winning the Crownhotel-bawtry EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster yesterday