DONCASTER on Saturday plays host to the final Group One contest of the flat season, the William Hill Futurity Trophy (1.30pm).
Unsurprisingly, Aidan O’Brien currently has an embarrassment of riches in the contest, with 11 of the 17 entries being Ballydoyle representatives.
Noble Exhibit is the current ante-post favourite, but with rain forecast towards the back of the week, the ground could go against the son of Frankel, who hasn’t encountered anything worse than yielding conditions.
One who would benefit from any rain is Karl Burke’s BURNING UP.
He created a good impression on his first two career starts, winning in commanding fashion, and then ran with credit in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.
He was patently unsuited by the track that day, when rolling around as he encountered the dip, but got organised and rallied to finish second.
That would have taught him a lot and, returning to a flatter track, he looks good value at 5/1 in a contest that will cut up at the declaration stage.
LUNA A INBHIR NIS returns to shallower waters in the opening five-furlong handicap (12.55pm), having been tried in the Group One Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend.
Trainer Katie Scott has had a brilliant year, and she has developed this horse into a classy sprinter.
She goes well in softer conditions and still looks to be well enough treated on a mark of 99.
Finishing 11th in Paris was a solid effort, considering she was just over four lengths behind the principals, and split Rumstar and Redorange, who have plied their trade in far deeper company than this.
She may well be able to take advantage of an unchanged mark, and at 9/1 is a cracking each-way bet.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Luna A Inbhir Nis e/w 12.55pm Doncaster
Burning Up e/w 1.30pm Doncaster