Trainer Aidan O’Brien has whittled his team down to five juveniles for the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, British racing’s final Group One race of the year.
Rival trainer Andrew Balding will saddle Kameko, the inly challenger to O’Brien’s attempt to win the race for a 10th time.
Having been responsible for 11 of the 12 two-year-olds at last week’s confirmation stage, O’Brien reduced the number to five.
Mogul is set to start favourite and is joined by the well-regarded Innisfree along with Iberia, Louisiana and Royal County Down.
“Innisfree travels well. We always thought he was a Classic horse. We thought this would be the logical race for him,” O’Brien said.
“Mogul has been progressing with every run. They are both smart colts.
“They are still on the upgrade and when they are doing that you don’t know who is going to progress the most.”
Balding’s main worry with Kameko is the forecast rain.
“Obviously the ground is very much a concern. They are going to get an awful lot of rain,” he said.
“Having said that, there are suggestions in his pedigree that he could handle it.
“I think it’s more than likely he’ll run.
“I’m very happy with him and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
The newly crowned champion jockey Oisin Murphy partners Kameko and would love to cap his campaign with another Group One victory.
“I possibly rode him a bit wrong at Newmarket in the Royal Lodge and he over-raced,” Murphy said.
“I possibly should have won this race on Roaring Lion two years ago when he was narrowly beaten by Saxon Warrior, so it would be nice to right that wrong at some stage.”
