LiveScore Racing Preview: Doncaster, October 23, 2021

Saturday afternoon at Doncaster brings with it the final Group 1 flat race of the year in Britain — the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes over a mile on Town Moor for the two-year-olds. 

Aidan O'Brien aims for a record-equalling tenth win in the race and looks to have the ace in the pack. 

They race at Doncaster from 1pm until 4.55pm with conditions set to be 'Soft' — here's our five to follow from the card.

1pm – virginbet.com Handicap Division 1 (7f)

The opener is a very competitive handicap and one in which Coco Bear and Deputy are likely to be popular after finishing first and second at Leicester last time. 

Mossbrawn is another with credentials after running third on soft at York last time but MASKED IDENTITY could be set for a big run. 

He's had three starts for Mark Loughnane, running well in each, and is 5lb below the mark from which he obliged last summer at Newmarket for his old stable at this distance on soft. His case strengthens with Stefano Cherchi taking 3lb off. 

LiveScore Selection: Masked Identity 

2.40pm – Vertem Very Different Stockbrokers Handicap (1m4f)

Aaddeey and Rythmic Intent are potentially strong contenders but the latter has top-weight to carry, while Stuart Williams' charge is on a career-high mark after scoring here over further last month and has never yet won two on the trot. 

KING OF THE SOUTH enjoyed a progressive time of it on the all-weather last winter for William Knight and the son of Kingman could be a significant player if taking to the grass now. 

He's well capable of going well fresh too. 

LiveScore Selection: King Of The South 

3.15pm – Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1, 1m)

The final Group 1 race on British soil for the season and Aidan O'Brien will equal Sir Henry Cecil's record of 10 wins in the Vertem Futurity Trophy if LUXEMBOURG stays unbeaten. 

His sire Camelot won this a decade ago and this latest star Ballydoyle colt is already the favourite to emulate him by winning the Derby at Epsom next summer. 

He breezed to a Group 2 win in Ireland last month on his second start and, with Ryan Moore up now, holds strong claims. 

Last month's Champagne Stakes winner here over 7f, Bayside Boy has since finished third in the Dewhurst at Newmarket and looks sure to relish the extra furlong. He can give the jolly something to think about. 

LiveScore Selection: Luxembourg 

3.50 - Virgin Bet Doncaster Stakes (Listed, 6f)

Deodar made a winning start at Newbury last month for Ralph Beckett, the gelded son of Bated Breath showed a willing attitude to take the prize in a three-way dive for the line. 

He can improve, as might other once-raced winners Gold Medal and Parisiac but they will need to in order to halt the winning sequence of FLAMING RIB. 

Tom Dascombe's Ribchester colt has won four out of his eight starts and arrives here in search of a fourth straight victory. 

He tried Listed company once before, at Royal Ascot in the Windsor Castle this summer, but this looks a more suitable task for him given how he has improved since. 

LiveScore Selection: Flaming Rib 

4.20pm - Virgin Bet Handicap (5f)

This is very competitive but some, like Dakota Gold, aren't firing on all cylinders and maybe INDIAN SOUNDS can get some due reward for a consistent season.

There have been plenty of near misses, including when nosed out at Musselburgh this month by a thriving rival in Roulston Scar. 

He certainly won't be winning out of turn when his moment comes. 

LiveScore Selection: Indian Sounds