Peter Moody's concern for odds-on favourite Triumphant Choice has led to the three-year-old's late scratching from the Mighty Kingdom Handicap at Sandown.

Moody was unhappy with Triumphant Choice's action as he paraded in the mounting yard before Wednesday's 2400m event which was the first leg of the quadrella.

Moody alerted the colt's rider, apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins, and veterinarians before the horse did his preliminary to the barriers.

"I thought he was a bit stiff in his near hindquarters," Moody said.

"I told Taylor and the vets to make sure he is 100 per cent.

"The lad (Lovelock-Wiggins) came back and said he didn't feel bad but he didn't feel right and he's ridden him at home."

After a searching veterinary examination at the barriers, Triumphant Choice was scratched after being found to be short in his action when being turned.

"It was putting them under pressure to vet a $1.50 favourite and for all concerned it was probably the safest option that he didn't run, and more importantly for the horse," Moody said.

"I will have a chiropractor and the vet go over him at home and give him a couple of lazy weeks.

"Hopefully we can then target some low-grade staying-type races in the spring in the hope he develops into a higher-grade stayer in the autumn."

The Mick Kent-trained Countcool ($13) took out the race, scoring by a long neck from Gael Force ($6.50 fav) with King Oliver ($11) 2-1/4-lengths away third.

Pictures: Colin Bull