Auguste Rodin given green light to contest the Vertem Futurity Trophy

Big-race favourite Auguste Rodin will take his chance in the Vertem Futurity Trophy (3.35) at Doncaster after Aidan O'Brien assessed the ground.

O'Brien's runner Aesop's Fables finished second in the Listed Doncaster Stakes, with the Ballydoyle trainer confirming Auguste Rodin's participation after that race.

Auguste Rodin has drifted out to 2-1 (from 11-10 this morning) with the colt unproven on heavy ground.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Epictetus is 9-4 (from 10-3) for the final Group 1 on the Flat in Britain.

Epictetus had subsequent winners in behind on his Newmarket debut, notably Group 3 Zetland winner Flying Honours, and followed that with a narrow second to Silver Knott in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes earlier this month.

Auguste Rodin followed up his Naas maiden win with victory on Irish Champions Weekend in the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes and looks a high-class prospect for O'Brien.

Updated at 3.15pm

Shoot First backed for Pertemps qualifier

Shoot First has been well found in the market and has been supported into favouritism for the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3.50) at Cheltenham.

The six-year-old is now a general 11-4 shot to take the race having been best-priced 6-1 this morning.

Trainer Charles Byrnes, who landed the Cesarewitch at Newmarket earlier this month with Run For Oscar, bid to be the first Irish trainer to win this race since Dessie Hughes landed it in 2012.

Shoot First comfortably won a Tipperary maiden hurdle in June before doing remarkably well to take second of 17 on handicap debut at Galway festival four weeks later, having been shuffled towards the rear of the pack when denied clear run before penultimate flight.

Although the market hasn't been a great guide when it comes to the winner of this race, it would be unwise to not take note of this support for a shred trainers runner.

Posted at 2pm

Saint Palais' withdrawal leaves John McConnell with hat-trick chance

Saint Palais had been well supported all morning and was the 13-8 favourite for the opening 3m 888Sport Novices' Hurdle (1.30) at Cheltenham, but has been declared a non-runner due to the going.

That has propelled Rexem, who had been around 9-4 second favourite for most of the day, to the head of the market at a general 5-4.

His trainer, John McConnell, has won this race for the last two years with horses who have gone on to place in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.

Rexem also arrives seeking a hat-trick having followed up his Downpatrick maiden hurdle win with victory in a Killarney novice, and will bid to give McConnell a third win at the Showcase meeting.

Market movers

Doncaster

3.35
Auguste Rodin 2-1 (from 11-10)
Epictetus 9-4 (from 10-3)
Salt Lake City 11-2 (from 8-1)

Cheltenham

3.50
Shoot First 11-4 (from 6-1)

Updated at 2pm

Doncaster remains heavy for the Vertem Futurity Trophy

The Vertem Futurity Trophy (3.35), Britain's final Group 1 of the Flat season, is set to be run on heavy ground after a deluge of rain over the past couple of days at Doncaster.

A total of 26mm of rain fell on the course on Thursday night and the going was officially changed to heavy after another 5mm came down midway through Friday's card, with a further 3mm falling after racing.

"Following racing yesterday [Friday] we had a further 3mm of rain, it stopped raining at 11pm and we've been dry through the night," clerk of the course Paul Barker said on Saturday morning.

"It's a beautiful morning. Bright and sunny, with a fresh southerly breeze and it is set to remain dry for the rest of the day. The ground is officially heavy. It may dry a little before racing, but I'm not expecting it to.

"It'll probably ride slow and a bit tacky because it's got that much moisture in it. After 26mm on Thursday, 8mm yesterday - 34mm in 48 hours - it's going to be tiring ground."

The Cheltenham going was eased to good following 11mm of rainfall before and during racing yesterday. The course received a further 3mm after racing, but it has been dry since and the forecast looks like it will stay that way on Saturday.

"We had 11mm of rainfall before and during racing yesterday, and another 3mm after racing. The ground remains good for today's racing," Cheltenham clerk of the course Jon Pullin said.

"We had some fantastic racing yesterday and we're very much looking forward to another competitive day's racing today."

Non-runners

Doncaster

1.20: Golden Voice, Kalganov, Fortamour
1.55: Atomic Impact
3.00: Al Dasim
4.45: Trumble, Hot Chesnut

Cheltenham

1.30: Saint Palais, Music Drive
2.05: Tullybeg
3.50: Didtheyleaveuoutto, Ted's Friend, Ask Dillon
4.25: Art Approval, Ash Tree Meadow
5.00: Genovese, School Days Over, Earth Cry

Updated at 2pm

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