16:05 Doncaster

Saturday 27 October 2018

All13:4514:1514:5515:2516:0516:3517:10

Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) (Str)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 1m 37.72s

(9)

Circus Maximus¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| BF| D

16/1

Took a big step forward from debut in typical fashion for one from this yard when winning a maiden at Gowran Park. Ran well when upped in class at Newmarket (third behind stablemate Magna Grecia) but more needed here.

Form: 513

(6)

Dashing Willoughby³⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding

16/1

Surprise winner of a maiden on debut (25/1) and only narrowly denied next time at Newbury behind debutante Raakib Alhawa. May struggle to reverse the form with that rival expected to improve, despite arriving better 3lb better off at the weights.

Form: 12

(3)

Great Scot⁴⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 103| D

14/1

Made it three wins from four starts at Haydock last time in Listed class, very keen in the early stages. Did that in an impressive enough manner but will have to improve to play a part at this level.

Form: 1131

(5)

Kick On³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| D

16/1

Performed with plenty of promise on debut at Newmarket and won a maiden back at that course on second and final start. Others arrive with stronger form claims.

Form: 21

(10)

King Ottokar³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: B A Curtis| T: C Fellowes

20/1

Impressive when well backed at Newbury on debut, just holding on from another debutante. Well bred but this is an enormous step up from that level of form.

Form: 1

(7)

Kuwait Currency¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 104| D

33/1

Won a novice event at Lingfield in good style and justified the step up in class when winning a Listed race at Salisbury. Well beaten last time when stepped up in class though (Phoenix Of Spain runner-up) and has plenty to find here.

Form: 0115

(11)

Magna Grecia¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien

2/1

Won at Naas on debut and finished an excellent second in a decent looking Group 3 at Newmarket last time. Looks like an exciting miler and probably won't mind cut in the ground. Worthy of plenty of respect given the yard's record in this.

Form: 12

(4)

Phoenix Of Spain⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 111

11/2

Improved from debut to win in impressive fashion at Wolverhampton on his second start and stepped up again to win the Group 3 Acomb at York. Has smart form behind Too Darn Hot subsequently and the step up in trip could suit.

Form: 4112

(2)

Raakib Alhawa³⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| D

6/1

Well bred son of Kingman who narrowly got the better of Dashing Willoughby on debut at Newbury. His trainer isn't the type to tilt at windmills and he gets Atzeni for company, a jockey with a remarkable record in this race.

Form: 1

(1)

Turgenev²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 101| D

7/2

Ran well on debut here before bolting up at Newcaslte on his second start. Made it two wins from three starts at Newmarket last time with a well bred sort in second and worthy of plenty of respect for these connections despite the step up in class.

Form: 211

(8)

Western Australia^t¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

50/1

Maiden winner at Gowran in September but well behind a couple of re-opposing stablemates in a Group 3 at Newmarket last time and down the order on jockey bookings here.

Form: 96144

Forecasts

Magna Grecia (2/1), Turgenev (7/2), Phoenix Of Spain (11/2), Raakib Alhawa (6/1), Great Scot (14/1), Circus Maximus (16/1), Kick On (16/1), Dashing Willoughby (16/1), King Ottokar (20/1), Kuwait Currency (33/1), Western Australia (50/1)

It might be worth taking a chance on PHOENIX OF SPAIN after a fine run behind ante post 2,000 Guineas favourite Too Darn Hot last time out and he's given the impression on his last couple of starts that a step up in trip will suit. Aidan O'Brien won this with Saxon Warrior last year and Magna Grecia is the pick of this year's Ballydoyle trio. Turgenev has to be respected up in class for a yard looking to crown a remarkable season.