Kinross steps up to top level as Beckett aims to add Futurity to juvenile spoils

Ralph Beckett is hoping his fantastic run of form with juveniles continues on Friday night with the trainer opting to take the plunge at Group 1 level with Kinross in the rescheduled Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle.

An eight-length winner on debut at Newmarket this month, Kinross was in line to run at Newbury last Saturday in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes, but like Doncaster's fixture, that meeting was lost to waterlogging.

While the Horris Hill has been rescheduled for Newmarket on Saturday, Beckett has gone for glory at Newcastle after Kinross was supplemented for the Vertem on Monday at a cost of £17,500.

Slow ground likely awaits at Newmarket, which influenced Beckett's decision as the trainer said on Wednesday: "We're looking forward to it. The ground at Newmarket was the primary reason [soft, good to soft in places], and there's rain forecast. Newcastle is a good surface and Kinross is in good shape."

Having earned a Racing Post Rating of 101 on debut, Kinross could be capable of handling a marked rise in grade, and Beckett added: "I'm very pleased with him and he's ready to roll. It's a big test and jump in class and we'll have to see if he's good enough. The horses have been running great hopefully it can continue for a little longer."

Kinross was one of 12 declarations for the Vertem on Wednesday, with the decision to move the race to the all-weather rewarded with a field twice the size of last week's.

Aidan O'Brien again has five declarations, with Mogul leading his contenders. The colt will be joined by Innisfree, New World Tapestry, Royal County Down and Year Of The Tiger.

Wichita, who was left in at Monday's five-day stage after his intended run in Sunday's Criterium International at Longchamp was aborted, was not declared.

John Gosden has two runners in Cherokee Trail and Verboten, while Kameko, the sole non O'Brien-trained runner to feature in last week's declarations, will again line up.

King Of The Throne, who like Kinross was supplemented on Monday, has been declared, with the William Haggas-trained Tammani and Jim Bolger-trained Geometrical completing the field.

The Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy will be run on Newcastle's straight mile on Friday

Those who purchased tickets for Doncaster's meeting will be able to attend at Newcastle for free. Customers are required to email info@newcastle-racecourse.co.uk by 5pm on Thursday.

They will require their original Doncaster booking number and tickets will be available for collection from Newcastle Racecourse on the day. In addition, subsidised return coach travel to the track will be available to Doncaster's annual members.

Arena Racing Company spokesman Sam Cone said: "We’re delighted with the support that the race has received, and very grateful to BHA, the Levy Board, horsemen and Vertem for their efforts to get the race restaged so quickly at its original value.

"The Tapeta surface at Newcastle has proven itself to be world class since it was installed, and we are very much looking forward to what should be a fantastic race.”

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