O’Brien Outsider Backed in Doncaster’s Futurity Stakes

Ballydoyle Runners Dominate Betting

Aidan O’Brien is set to train half the field of six runners in Saturday’s Futurity Stakes, with Benvenuto Cellini heading the betting at 6/5 with BOYLE Sports.

The Frankel colt, out of star American mare Newspaperofrecord, was last seen winning a Group 2 at the Irish Champions Festival and Christophe Soumillon is once again on board for the final Group 1 of the British flat season.

Hawk Mountain Drifts

Beresford Stakes scorer Hawk Mountain had been in a protracted battle for favouritism with Benvenuto Cellini but has conceded significant ground over the last 48 hours and is now a 9/4 shot under Ronan Whelan.

BOYLE Sports has however reported strong support for O’Brien’s apparent third string, Action, who finished one-and-a-half lengths adrift of the highly regarded Bow Echo in the Royal Lodge Stakes. A half-brother to dual Derby winner, Lambourn, he has been backed from 10/1 into 13/2 since declarations.

Three British-trained runners complete the field, with Andrew Balding’s unbeaten Item notably weak as he steps up from a novice win at Bath.

Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BOYLE Sports, said:

“Aidan O’Brien has long had a stranglehold on the Futurity Stakes, and this year looks no different. Benvenuto Cellini has gotten the better of the battle at the head of the betting, but we’ve seen lots of support for what looks to be the Ballydoyle third string, Action, who is now 13/2 from 10/1.”