The last flat Group 1 in Britain in 2016 takes place at Doncaster on Saturday, with the winner of the G1 Racing Post Trophy often considered a leading G1 Epsom Derby candidate for the following year. Camelot (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) was the last winner to go on and score at Epsom (having also won the G1 2000 Guineas en route) and his former trainer Aidan O'Brien is hoping a strong numerical assault on the race will improve his already formidable record in the one-mile contest. O'Brien has won the Racing Post Trophy seven times, most recently with Kingsbarns (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2012 and among 17 horses going forward on Saturday, O'Brien is represented by six.
Spearheading the Ballydoyle challenge is probably Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who beat stablemate and fellow entrant Yucatan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Beresford S. at The Curragh Sept. 25 over a mile on heavy ground having previously won a listed race at Tipperary in August. Another Ballydoyle probable is Finn McCool (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who took four attempts to break his maiden, doing so at Navan Oct. 5, but as a brother to top stayer Kingfisher (Ire), it would be unwise to rule out further improvement from this colt. O'Brien also fields GSP Douglas Macarthur (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Sir John Lavery (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and MGSP The Anvil (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Frankuus (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is a typically tough Mark Johnston trained juvenile and he posted a career best on his sixth and last start when winning the G3 Prix de Conde at Chantilly Oct. 8 over nine furlongs. He could prove a formidable opponent along with David Elsworth's progressive Sir Dancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), the cosy winner of a listed race at York Oct. 8.
The field is rounded out by Brutal (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), G1SP Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), Rivet (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Rodaini (Exchange Rate), Bay Of Poets (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), City Of Joy (GB) (Elusive City), Contrapposto (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}), and Raheen House (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}).
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