Derby favourite Luxembourg heads Trophy field
Aidan O’Brien chasing 10th win in race.
Hot favourite Luxembourg is set to face seven rivals in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday. Impressive on his racecourse debut at Killarney in July, the Camelot colt successfully stepped up in class at the Curragh last month when dominating his rivals in the Group Two Beresford Stakes. Aidan O’Brien has already saddled nine winners of the final Group One of the British Flat season, with two Derby winners in High Chaparral and Camelot among those on the roll of honour for Ballydoyle. Luxembourg is already at the top of ante-post lists for next year’s running of the premier Classic and his odds for Epsom can be expected to contract further if he can complete his hat-trick on Town Moor. One of the big dangers to the market leader is the Mark Johnston-trained Royal Patronage, who was last seen charging home to beat subsequent Autumn Stakes scorer Coroebus in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket. Roger Varian’s Bayside Boy also brings a high level of form to the table, having won Doncaster’s Champagne Stakes before finishing third in the Dewhurst a fortnight ago. Imperial Fighter, trained by Andrew Balding, bids to make it third time lucky at Pattern level after finishing second to Royal Patronage in York’s Acomb Stakes and second to Coroebus in the Autumn Stakes. Jim Bolger won last season’s Vertem Futurity Trophy with Mac Swiney and is this year represented by Leopardstown maiden winner McTigue. Bullet Force (Karl Burke), Hannibal Barca (Brian Meehan) and Sissoko (Donnacha O’Brien) complete the octet.Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
National hero Murphy relishing Rosallion’s bid for 2000 Guineas glory
Richard Hannon’s three-year-old will take on Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering City Of Troy.
-
French Gold Cup bid shelved for Il Est Francais
Connections take cautious approach and send impressive Kauto Star winner on summer break.
-
City Of Troy tops 11-strong list for 2000 Guineas
Rosallion, Notable Speech and Night Raider among Newmarket rivals.
-
Ben Curtis living the dream with Honor Marie in Kentucky Derby
‘They are estimating 160,000 on the day… it will be as close as you can get to being in a Roman colosseum’.
-
Josh Moore joining father Gary on training licence
Business as usual, but Lower Beeding yard very much planning for the future.
-
Fastorslow too strong for Galopin Des Champs in Punchestown repeat
Martin Brassil’s stable star conquers dual Cheltenham Gold Cup king once more.
-
Redemption Day at Punchestown for Jody Townend
Grade One victory is a first for leading amateur rider.
-
Dancing City backs up Aintree win with gritty Punchestown success
He was made to battle all the way by a stablemate.
-
Jasour stakes Commonwealth claim with smooth success
Impressive Ascot victor cut to 12-1 for Royal meeting.
-
Coltrane collects Sagaro top honours once again
Classy Balding stayer sees off gallant challenge of Cauis Chorister.