LiveScore Racing News: Luxembourg underlines Derby credentials

Luxembourg cemented his position as the ante-post favourite for next year's Derby after claiming a convincing victory in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday. 

Aidan O'Brien's exciting two-year-old delivered in convincing fashion on Town Moor, finishing well clear of Sissoko, trained by O'Brien's son Donnacha, while Champagne Stakes winner Bayside Boy came in third. 

The victory was also Luxembourg's third in as many starts following his previous successes at Killarney on debut and in last month's Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh, with his latest triumph also handing O'Brien a record equalling 10th win in what is the final Group One of the British Flat racing season. 

Two of O'Brien's previous winners in the race, High Chaparral and Camelot, have gone on to win the Derby off the back of the success, while others have also claimed victories in Classics, including Brian Boru in the St Leger. 

Luxembourg could now be the next in line to achieve Classic glory off the back of winning the Vertem Futurity Trophy, as he is heading the betting for next year's Derby at Epsom, while O'Brien has also confirmed the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket is a possibility. 

Regarding Luxembourg's Classic plans, O'Brien told reporters: "The lads will decide, but what he's able to do over four furlongs at home says that he probably wouldn't have any problems starting in the Guineas if that's what the lads wanted to do. 

"He's been coming along slowly and he's got a lot of class. (Jockey) Ryan (Moore) was impressed with him. 

"He's always been very exciting. The work he's been doing he shouldn't have been able to do over four furlongs, but that is what good horses usually do." 

Winning jockey Ryan Moore, who was saddling Luxembourg for the first time in Saturday's race, also has high hopes for the son of Camelot, as he feels he has plenty of scope for improvement over the coming months and years. 

"That's three races and three wins," Moore beamed. "We're delighted with what he's done and he's an exciting horse to look forward. It couldn't have gone smoother and there's more improvement to come."