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Horse Racing

Re-opened Vertem Futurity Trophy attracts 17 runners as Aidan OBrien faces fight at Newcastle

THE Vertem Futurity Trophy has attracted 17 entries after Newcastle agreed to reschedule the race this Friday.

Saturday’s Group 1 contest at Doncaster was abandoned due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Newcastle has taken on the mantle of hosting the Vertem Futurity Stakes

Among those most frustrated at the change will surely be Aidan O’Brien, who was responsible for five of the six runners before rain stopped play.

Although still behind 9 of the 17 runners after confirmations were released this afternoon, it’s not the same stranglehold he would have enjoyed had the fixture gone ahead.

His updated hand seesMogul, Innisfree, IberiaandRoyal County Downfill the same spots, with Hong Kong, New World Tapestry, San Pedro, Wichita and Year Of The Tiger alsoconfirmed alongside.

Kameko,the only British representative in Saturday’s field, has been entered, as have John Gosden’s Verboten and Cherokee Trail.

Ralph Beckett has entered exciting prospect Kinross after the Group 1 was rescheduled to Newcastle

William Haggas relies onTammani,Brian Meehan fields the once-racedCepheusand Ralph Beckett is responsible for impressive debut winnerKinross,rerouted from Newbury’s Horris Hill after that meeting also fell foul of the weather.

The possible 17-strong field is completed by Jim Bolger’sGeometricaland Emmet Mullins’King Of The Throne.