Well-backed ante-post favourite Age Of Aquarius has been ruled out of Saturday's St Leger at Doncaster.

Today's surprising withdrawal means only eight horses will go to post for the final Classic of the season.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien removed the Lingfield Derby Trial winner from the final line-up and explained: "We are not 100 per cent happy with him after his canter this morning and decided not to declare him."

O'Brien also took out Rockhampton from the field but has left in Ebor runner-up Changingoftheguard. Johnny Murtagh takes the ride after deciding not to partner Yeats in Saturday's Irish St Leger at the Curragh.

O'Brien will still be double handed at Doncaster with Von Jawlensky.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes make Godolphin's Kite Wood their new 9-4 favourite, with jockey Frankie Dettori aiming for a fourth win in the race.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor will also saddle Mastery, while Henry Cecil sends out Father Time, who will be ridden by Jamie Spencer.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Monitor Closely was added to the line-up on Monday at a cost of £45,000 and he also stands his ground.

John Oxx's Mourayan and the Barry Hills-trained Above Average complete the list for the 1m6f contest.

Meanwhile, race sponsor Ladbrokes have decided to refund all bets on Age Of Aquarius.

Spokesman David Williams said: "Punters have been given a lifeline and we'll swallow the financial pill."

St Leger (Ladbrokes): 9-4 Kite Wood, 11-4 Changingoftheguard, 5 Father Time, Monitor Closely, 8 Mourayan, 12 Mastery, 66 Above Average, 100 Von Jawlensky.