Juvenile Watch: a 20-1 Vertem Futurity tip and horses to follow

The last important race of the juvenile programme in Europe, the Vertem Futurity often feels a bit detached from the main programme, yet is no back number in terms of delivering high quality winners, with Saxon Warrior, Kameko and Luxembourg all victorious in recent years.

The ground is good to soft at the time of writing, but with rain forecast for Thursday and Friday it’s possible that conditions will be soft by Saturday.

Auguste Rodin is the ante-post favourite and deserves his place at the head of the market. He’s looked progressive in three starts and improved for the step up to a mile last time as he won the Group Two Champion Juvenile Stakes on soft ground at Leopardstown.

He is hard to fault and favourites have fared well in this race in recent years, winning three of the past five renewals. However, backing a short-priced juvenile at this time of year, which is often the end of a long season of training and when the changeable weather can effect individuals very differently, is not my type of bet, so I’m looking for each-way value elsewhere.

Both of the Gosden entries, Arrest and Epictetus, are short enough in the market give what they’ve achieved , while Stormbuster was impressive last time but the form looks wobbly and he had previously been well beaten by Flying Honours.

If there is an outsider to shake up the favourite, I believe it could come from the inside the Ballydoyle camp.

The market has possibly harshly viewed Salt Lake City for running badly when well fancied for the Convivial maiden at York. I can always forgive one poor run, especially if other form lines stack up, and in this case I think they do.

He had previously finished runner-up on his debut to Al Riffa, who had the advantage of race experience, and that colt has since landed the Group One Vincent O’Brien Stakes and is officially rated 115.

On his latest start, Salt Lake City lost his maiden tag in fine style. Upped to a mile and racing on soft ground for the first time, he travelled well before easily striding clear to win by a wide margin.

A current best price of 20-1 is tempting but, be warned, he is one of eight O’Brien entries. In the circumstances, I would rather wait until the final declarations on Thursday and, if need be, take a slightly shorter price about him as a confirmed runner.

The National Hunt season is upon us, so it’s perhaps fitting that this week’s star performer looks physically more like a chaser than a two-year-old.

King Of Steel dwarfed the opposition before landing his Nottingham maiden last week. Big isn’t always beautiful but on this occasion the performance matched up to the physique.

The son of Wootton Bassett travelled with ease on the heels of the leaders over the extended mile and, while he looked to get a little disorganised on the home turn, he was still able to cruise to the front with consummate ease.

Adam Kirby didn’t need to get serious with him, as he powered to the line, extending his advantage with every stride.

He holds an entry in the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster on Saturday and if the forecast rain arrives, and conditions are on the soft side, then he would be an intriguing runner.

However, Kirby declared King Of Steel to be 'nearly 18 hands' in his post-race interview and, while I suspect that much like when my friend, Dave, reports catching a 50lb carp, the size has been exaggerated, he is still a giant individual and generally those of such size need careful minding. As such, I’d be surprised if we see him at Doncaster.

Regardless, he’s a horse of huge potential – no pun intended - and can certainly make up into a Group performer over middle distances next year.

This daughter of Ulysses made her debut at Chelmsford, over a mile, last Wednesday.

She took a while to find her stride before briefly over-racing for a furlong in the early stages. She travelled well in the middle part of the race but found herself a little flat footed as they quickened on the bend.

Once organised on the home straight, she stayed on in steady if unspectacular style to finish in a closing third. She is capable of landing a similar contest if ridden more prominently next time and will stay further in time.