O’Brien dominates confirmation stage for Doncaster showpiece

Mogul high on list of Ballydoyle contenders for Vertem Futurity Trophy

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for 11 of the 12 juveniles remaining in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.

Andrew Balding’s Kameko is the only potential runner not trained at Ballydoyle among the five-day confirmations for the final Group One of the season in Britain.

O’Brien has won the Town Moor showpiece for the past two seasons, with Magna Grecia and Saxon Warrior – and both colts went on to win the 2000 Guineas the following spring.

This year his chief hope appears to be Mogul, a full-brother to the top class Japan and winner of two of his three outings to date, including a Group Two at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.

Armory, a Group Two winner and placed in two Group Ones, arguably has the strongest form on offer among the O’Brien team.

Hong Kong, Iberia, Innisfree, Louisiana, Mythical, New World Tapestry, Royal County Down, Royal Dornoch and Year Of The Tiger could all still run.

Balding’s Kameko brings strong form to the table himself, having finished second by a nose to Positive in the Solario Stakes and filling the same spot behind Royal Dornoch in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket, when beaten a neck.

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