The two-year-olds will line up in the final Group 1 of the season and aim to cement their place as classic contenders for next season.
Here, I will preview all eight runners and give you my final verdict on who will take the final Group 1 of the season.
If you want to bet on the William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes, look no further than the top list of the best online horse racing bookmakers.
Futurity Trophy Stakes Runner By Runner Betting Guide
Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into runners of the William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.
(4) 8 Wimbledon Hawkeye
Age: 2
Form: 1321
Rating: 114
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: James Owen
Odds: 7/2
James Owen has quickly made a name for himself over the past year on the flat and over jumps, but winning this would take him to a new level.
Wimbledon Hawkeye had a quiet start to his racing career with a win at 28/1 in a Kempton novice in May. But he went on to prove it was no fluke when running within four lengths of Ancient Truth in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes.
But it was the second to the exciting The Lion In The Water that made people stand up and take note of him, and those who took note were rewarded next time out when they stepped up to one mile and ran away with the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.
That win came on soft ground, proving that the forecast slower ground at Doncaster will hold no fears for the son of Kameko, who won this back in 2019 when it was run on the all-weather at Newcastle.
The worthy favourite with a bright future.
Has improved with each run
A convincing winner last time out
Up against some unexposed runners
Star Rating:
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(2) 2 Delacroix
Age: 2
Form: 2121
Rating: 110
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Odds: 4/1
Aidan O’Brien has won four of the last seven runnings of the Futurity Trophy Stakes and looks to have a strong runner here with Delacroix.
He has tasted defeat at the hands of Green Impact twice this season and has shown that he is a bit of a character.
But he can produce a high-level performance when he is on song, as seen when running on to run down Stanhope Garden at Newmarket, pulling four lengths clear of the third.
That performance was better than the distance would suggest, as it was hands and heels to the line from Ryan Moore.
Given how strong he was to the line under hands and heel riding, there should be more to come, and he will not shy away from a battle.
On breeding, Delacroix should not be inconvenienced by the soft ground, which makes him a massive danger to all.
A game-winner last time out
Looks sure to come forward again
His trainer has a good record in this
Can get worked up
Star Rating:
(1) 3 Detain
Age: 2
Form: 11
Rating: 104
Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Odds: 11/2
Detain is the first of the two John and Thady Gosden-trained runners here and the one who looks to be the first choice going on the betting market.
He was slow away on debut at Kempton but still had enough in reserve to come away with an impressive win.
It was back to Kempton for his second start. Sent off 4/11, a lot was expected from Detain, and he didn’t disappoint with a taking seven-length victory.
Now, the bare form is hard to weigh up. But he could do nothing more but win the way he did.
He has the makings of a Group 1 performer, but I suspect that he will learn a lot from this experience. It will be the first time he will be asked to go through the gears properly, and the race may be over by the time he gets in full flow.
Has been impressive in his two runs to date
A big ask after two runs at Kempton
Star Rating:
(6) 1 Anno Domini
Age: 2
Form: 11
Rating: 97
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Odds: 15/2
Anno Domini is a horse who already looks just to do the bare minimum when he hits the front.
On debut, he had a good win at Doncaster, where he took a bump after one furlong and was soon back further in the field than he would have liked. But once switched out on the far side, he picked up well, hit the front and idled to the line.
That win didn’t go unnoticed as he was sent off as an 11/10 favourite for a Sandown novice over seven furlongs, where he looked like he was in a bit of trouble over two, only for him to pick up when asked for his full effort.
Once again, when he hit the front, he just did enough to win. I like this trait in horses because you can have horses who win by ten lengths on the bridle and who seem to have won it in second gear, but as we have seen many times, it took a lot more out of them than you would expect.
Horses like Anno Domini, who only do what is required, will always keep enough back for themselves and pull out more when needed.
The step up to one mile will undoubtedly bring even more out of him, and there is every chance he could end the season on a high for the boys in blue.
Two wins filled with promise
Step up in trip will bring more improvement
Just does what he has to do to win
Could be susceptible to a fast finisher
Star Rating:
(7) 4 Hotazhell
Age: 2
Form: 41121
Rating: 107
Jockey: Shane Foley
Trainer: Mrs John Harrington
Odds: 8/1
The most experienced runner in the lineup, Hotazhell is not out of it by any means.
He should have won at the first time of asking at Leopardstown, but he made no mistake next time at the Curragh.
That was followed by a Group 3 win back at Leopardstown and then a second to Henri Matisse. The form of that race now doesn’t look as good as we thought it would after they crossed the line, but that didn’t stop Hotazhell from going on to claim his first Group 2 win over one mile at the Curragh.
It was clear that the step up to one mile brought another jolt of improvement, as he never once looked in trouble throughout the race, eventually winning with a lot more in hand than the winning margin suggested.
He is not out of this, and he looks a standout each way bet at his current price.
Put in a career-best performance last time out
Is running to a high standard
Is be susceptible to a proper Group 1 horse
Star Rating:
(5) 6 Royal Playwright
Age: 2
Form: 132
Rating: 110
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Odds: 11/1
Royal Playwright tasted victory on debut but has since found Group 2 company beyond him.
He met Wimbledon Hawkeye last time at Newmarket, but even though he did finish second to the current favourite, he has everything to do to turn around that form here.
He is a decent horse without being a world-beater but looks out of his depth.
Acts on soft ground
Has a lot to find with Wimbledon Hawkeye
Star Rating:
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(8) 5 Nebras
Age: 2
Form: 1
Rating: –
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Odds: 14/1
Despite looking green throughout the race, Nebras put up a promising display when winning on debut.
I’m not a fan of horses who come into group races on the back of one run, and he will need to learn a lot from that experience if he is to win.
It may be possible, but he may find things happening too fast for him on his second career start.
As a three-year-old, he will be one to keep on the right side, but this may be too much too soon.
A promising debut win
This is likely to be too much too soon
Star Rating:
(3) 7 Seaplane
Age: 2
Form: 221
Rating: 95
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole
Odds: 16/1
This is a big ask for Seaplane to get seriously involved here.
It took him three attempts to break his maiden tag, and this marks a considerable step up from what he has been running against.
The step-up in the trip will suit him, but it will need to bring out a massive improvement if he is to cause the upset.
Won last time out
He is out of his depth on all known form
Star rating:
Futurity Trophy Stakes Verdict
The curtain call for the flat season is set to be a great spectacle, and at the prices, I want to be on ANNO DOMINI’S side.
His style of running appeals to me for this race. The manner of his wins suggests that he will only win by as far as he needs to, meaning that he may well have major improvement to come.
Delacroix and Wimbledon Hawkeye will prove his main dangers, in that order.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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