Key contenders and trainer views for the Group 1 Vertem Futurity

Vertem Futurity Trophy (Group 1) | 1m, 2yo colts & fillies | ITV4/ATR

Magna Grecia will be attempting to emulate some big-name Ballydoyle performers who landed this event en route to greater glory.

Aidan O'Brien's eight winners of the race, run this year as the Vertem Futurity Trophy having previously been the Racing Post Trophy, include High Chaparral, St Nicholas Abbey, Camelot and most recently Saxon Warrior a year ago.

Although Magna Grecia goes into the race minus the fanfare that have accompanied many of O'Brien's previous winners, he was supplemented into the contest on Monday at a cost of £17,500 and heads the market on only his third start.

Winner of a 7f maiden at Naas on his debut last month, the son of Invincible Spirit ran French colt Persian King to a neck in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes over this mile trip at Newmarket two weeks ago, and his trainer believes he has done well since.

O'Brien said: "Magna Grecia is a fine big colt and a talented one. He was quite green at Naas and again at Newmarket, where he ran very well taking his lack of experience into account.

"We were delighted with his run and have been happy with him since. We hope he has come forward and we're looking forward to running him."

Donnacha O'Brien, who rode Magna Grecia at Newmarket, is again on board the big-race favourite, who is joined in the line-up by stablemates Circus Maxmus and Western Australia, who finished third and fourth behind him at Newmarket.

"Circus Maximus ran a good race last time and showed he'd improved since his maiden win," added O'Brien. "We've been happy with him since and we think he's progressed. He gets the trip, and so does Western Australia."

Magna Grecia pros and cons

Pros Well regarded and has looked promising on both starts. Will get the trip and improvement very much on the cards

Cons Will need to have progressed from Newmarket to justify favouritism

Gosden duo bid to add to juvenile strength

John Gosden has yet to win this race, but such is the strength of the Clarehaven two-year-olds that anything lining up for a Group 1 carries plenty of respect.

Turgenev ran into Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Royal Marine on debut and has looked impressive in two subsequent starts.

The most recent of those came when making light work of a 6lb penalty in a Newmarket novice event and, while Turgenev is yet to race in Pattern company, this first produce out the multiple Group winner Tasaday looked a Group-level performer on that occasion.

Gosden also sends the twice-raced Kick On, who showed his inexperience when second on debut but was much more professional when scoring easily on the Rowley Mile.

Kick On: was impressive when breaking his maiden at the second time of asking at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Largely overlooked in the betting in favour of Turgenev, Qatar Racing's colt should not be regarded necessarily as a second string.

"It looks like a good edition of the race and both colts won nicely at Newmarket last time and look progressive types," said Gosden.

"It will be good to run on nice ground for the time of year and they've both pleased in their prep for this. The horse that finished second in the Autumn Stakes looks to be the key to the race."

Turgenev pros and cons

Pros Looked very exciting prospect on his last start, while the form of his only defeat has been greatly boosted since

Cons Bare level of most recent Newmarket win means he will need to improve again

Too Darn Hot form boosts Phoenix claims

Phoenix Of Spain is the only Group winner in the field thanks to his come-from-behind success in the Acomb Stakes at York, while his subsequent runner-up effort over seven furlongs here in September was arguably another step forward, given that the current Qipco 2,000 Guineas and Investec Derby favourite Too Darn Hot was the only horse to finish in front of him.

The impression given in both runs is that Phoenix Of Spain should handle the demands of the extra furlong and Charlie Hills is looking forward to the test.

Phoenix Of Spain: impressed when winning the Group 3 Acomb StakesCredit: Getty Images

Hills said: "He's done really well for a little break, his work's been good and I couldn't be more pleased with him. He'll definitely handle a bit of ease in the ground and going a mile at Doncaster should help him.

"I hope he'll make a nice middle-distance horse next year and if he gets a mile and a half he could be a serious prospect. He's a fine, big, strong horse and he's got an excellent temperament as well, so he ticks a lot of boxes."

Pros Only Group-race winner in the line-up and has decent form tied in with Too Darn Hot.

Cons Though his racing style suggests a mile won't be a problem, his stamina is more of a question mark than with many of his rivals

What the other trainers say

Dascombe excited by 'proper horse' Great Scot

Great Scot comes here with as good a level of form as most having made it three wins from four starts in the Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock last time.

Had things played out differently he might be unbeaten, but even his defeat at Deauville in August has taken on added significance, with the second, Duke Of Hazzard, bolting up in a Listed race this week.

"I don't often get excited but I think he's got a massive chance," said Dascombe.

"I think if he was trained by someone else he would be a lot shorter than 14-1. He's a big horse that's only going to improve and he has got to be faster than he was three weeks ago. I think we might just have a proper horse."

Fellowes has faith in King Ottokar

Authorized, Kingsbarns and Marcel have all got their names on the roll of honour for this race on only their second start and King Ottokar bids to follow suit, having got home by a neck at Newbury on debut.

Highly rated by trainer Charlie Fellowes, King Of Ottokar (near side) made a winning debut at Newbury.Credit: Mark Cranham

"He's a very nice horse and I wouldn't be dumping him in a race like that if I didn't believe that," said trainer Charlie Fellowes.

"My very nice horses and Aidan O'Brien's and John Gosden’s very nice horses are sometimes slightly different. But we think a huge amount of him and I don't think I've had a horse as talented as him through my hands.

"He's a beautiful-looking horse and you can see why so much money was spent on him at the breeze-up, while his homework has been very good."

Newbury pair resume rivalry

The Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes at Newbury looked well up to scratch in September with the first two home, Raakib Alhawa and Dashing Willoughby, separated by a neck but with six lengths back to the rest.

Trainer David Simcock said of the once-raced Raakib Alhawa: "It was a race full of winners and we were delighted with the way he did it.

"You would like to think it has brought him forward – it definitely has physically – and he's trained well since. We're giving him a tall order but he's a talented horse in his own right and I'm sure he will acquit himself well."

Andrew Balding believes the form of the race is strong and had no hesitation in aiming for this prize with Dashing Willoughby.

"It was a good effort because he was giving 3lb to the winner – though that one is also entitled to improve – while it was a long way back to the third," said the trainer.

"I think it was a pretty strong level of form and we've always liked this horse so I hope he'll run well."

Hannon hoping Currency will pay his way

A Salisbury Listed winner two starts ago, Kuwait Currency never really got involved in the Dewhurst but looks likely to appreciate the slightly easier surface here, as well as the greater test of stamina.

"We were always facing an uphill battle against Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst last time but he was probably a little too far back and struggled to really land a blow," said trainer Richard Hannon.

"This obviously isn't much easier but I'm hoping the step up to a mile will give him time to organise himself and get into a nice rhythm."

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