Vertem Futurity Trophy tips & runners guide to Doncaster 3.35

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Aidan O’Brien fires two darts at the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy as he bids to become the most successful trainer in the history of the race.

The Ballydoyle master – level on 10 winners with Sir Henry Cecil – is represented by the favourite Auguste Rodin, who landed the Champions Juvenile Stakes last time out, and Salt Lake City in Saturday’s 15:35 at Doncaster.

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Autumn Stakes second Epictetus, third Holloway Boy and fourth Dancing Magic all reoppose, Stormbuster bids to build on last month’s maiden victory, while King Of Steel makes his second start after an impressive win on debut less than two weeks ago. Captain Wierzba completes the field.

The latest Vertem Futurity Trophy odds are on the Paddy Power website or via our snazzy widgets, otherwise Timeform’s handy guide to the runners and riders plus betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Vertem Futurity Trophy runners

Auguste Rodin

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 6

Unlucky on debut and has made no mistake in his 2 outings since, latterly producing a smart performance to win a 1m Leopardstown Group 2. Top prospect with more to come and leading claims for trainer seeking a remarkable eleventh success in this race.

*****

Captain Wierzba

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rob Hornby Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 1

Won a Ffos Las novice over an extended 7f in August. 11/1, didn’t get the chance to show what he could do pitched into a 1m Group 3 at Saint-Cloud 5 weeks later, with his jockey shoved out of the side door before halfway.

Dancing Magic

Trainer: Roger Teal Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 3

Yet to win but has achieved useful form, finishing second in a Haydock listed before fourth (Epictetus second, Holloway Boy third) in Newmarket Group 3. More a place than win contender.

Epictetus

Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 7

Kingman colt who made a winning start to his career in a strong 7f maiden at the Newmarket July meeting. Confirmed he’s a really good prospect when neck second to Silver Knott in a 1m Group 3 on the Rowley course there 3 months later. Definitely more to come and the chief threat to Auguste Rodin.

****

Holloway Boy

Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 5

Sprung a 40/1 surprise in the Chesham at Royal Ascot on debut and has shown that was no fluke with placed efforts at pattern level on his 3 outings since. Epictetus was 1¾ lengths ahead of him in a Newmarket Group 3 last time, though, so he’ll need to pull out more for a first-time visor.

***

King Of Steel

Trainer: David Loughnane Jockey: Adam Kirby Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 2

Fast-tracked to Group 1 level after an impressive debut success at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) 10 days ago. Open to considerable improvement and not to be underestimated.

****

Salt Lake City

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Wayne Lordan Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 8

Disappointed in the Convivial maiden at the York Ebor meeting but quickly back on track when a 5-length winner over 1m at Navan 17 days ago. Auguste Rodin has to be considered the stable first string but this son of Galileo should have more to offer.

Stormbuster

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: David Probert Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4

Second in a 1m Salisbury listed before producing a useful effort to get off the mark in a 1m Newbury novice last month. This demands a fair bit more but he may be up to it.

***