YOU can easily understand why Il Paradiso has now emerged as the shortest-priced Aidan O’Brien-trained contender for the William Hill St Leger.

The Galileo colt has progressed markedly as the season has developed, from winning a maiden by a half a length on his seasonal debut, the fourth run of his career, to winning a two-mile handicap at the Curragh on Irish Oaks weekend. He won the latter by 12 lengths off a mark of 89. Last Friday, he got to within a length and a quarter of the mighty Stradivarius in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York, beaten by the bob of a head by the 119-rated four-year-old Dee Ex Bee for second.