Will we see the winner of the first Group 1 in 2019 in final Group 1 of 2018?

The day in a nutshell

A new name but the same old notion. In the final British Group 1 of 2018 you could see the winner of the first British Group 1 of 2019.

That was the case last year, when Saxon Warrior found extra oxygen from somewhere to tame Roaring Lion in what has proved one of the highest-quality runnings of the Racing Post Trophy.

He went on the win the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, while the runner-up has since rattled off four Group 1s on the bounce.

The new sponsors of the Vertem Futurity Trophy, as is the contest's new name, would desperately love a new star to begin a new era.

Could it be Magna Grecia? He's been beaten once, but only just just – and the promising Persian King needed all his power to prevail by a neck in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

Phoenix Of Spain was burnt by Too Darn Hot on his last visit to Donny, but who hasn't? Throw in Turgenev, now rated 101 after wins at Newcastle and Newmarket, and you have got yourself a tasty affair.

There is some scrumptious stuff at Cheltenham too. Is there any sweeter spot to spend a Saturday than in the heart of the Cotswolds? And, with old friends Minella Rocco and Cogry in the opener, we can pretend winter has already arrived.

But who will be kept warm through the winter months dreaming of Guineas glory? Will it be O'Brien, Gosden, Hills, or someone else?

Magna Grecia is the one, I'm getting off the fence.

'A bit of a coup' for Dance

We all know John Dance as the ebullient owner of Laurens, but he is also the founder of Saturday's new big-race sponsor Vertem, the independent stockbroking firm.

Dance is excited about the prospect of sponsoring the final Group 1 of the season which, under the guise of the Racing Post Trophy, became particularly renowned as a key pointer to the Derby – but admits the sequels Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion have produced since last year's epic duel means it is a hard act to follow.

A delighted John Dance with Laurens and Lucy Burke at LeopardstownCredit: Caroline Norris

"It's a race I've always loved and we feel it's a bit of a coup to have got it," Dance said in his typically enthusiastic tone.

"I do feel we have a very tough act to follow, however. When you see what Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion have gone on to achieve and consider that this race was the prelude to all that."

He continued: "Fingers crossed there are two horses like those in this year's race and, who knows, there might well be.

"Turgenev has looked very good on his last few starts, and Aidan [O'Brien] obviously thinks a lot of Magna Grecia, so it should be a terrific race. We're very excited. There's a real buzz around the place."

Craving Cheltenham winners

If you stuck a tenner on each of Gordon Elliott's 40 runners at Cheltenham last season you would have been £567.30 better off by the end of the campaign.

Elliott craves Cheltenham winners, no matter what time of year they come, and he sent out nine in total last term.

The County Meath maestro has four runners on Saturday's card, with Dinons chasing five wins on the trot in the Randox Health Novices' Hurdle (4.20).

Speaking in his Racing Post stable tour this week, Elliott said: "Dinons needs a trip and nice ground. He won four on the bounce over the last few months and we're bringing him over to Cheltenham this week for a novice hurdle."

This race has obviously been the plan for a while and he has a trip and nice ground, so there will be lots of long faces if Dinons does not deliver.

Donnacha walking on Air

Donnacha O'Brien has ridden for only two trainers in Ireland this year, his father and brother.

Apart from Aidan and Joseph, he has ridden only for William Haggas and Hugo Palmer once in Britain this year too. It is fair to say he uses himself sparingly on his trips across the Irish Sea.

Donnacha O'Brien: has his first ride for Charlie HillsCredit: Patrick McCann

With that in mind, it is interesting to see this year's Irish champion jockey – he is miles clear of his rivals – having his first ride for Charlie Hills in the opener at Doncaster.

O'Brien is on board impressive Newbury maiden winner Breath Of Air in the Listed Doncaster Stakes. Read into it what you will.

Roger That!

Is there a trainer in better form right now than Roger Varian?

In the last fortnight he has helped himself to nine winners, including the last-gasp Balmoral Handicap success of Sharja Bridge, six seconds and three thirds, and is operating at a strike-rate of 20 per cent.

He will pin his hopes on likely favourite San Donato in the Listed Doncaster Stakes, but has five other runners across three cards.

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com