Wimbledon Hawkeye drifted into the market for the William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakeswith some bookmakers offering odds of 3-1 (instead of 2-1) for the Group 1 favorite on Saturday morning.

The James Owen-trained colt was keen to strike in the Doncaster final after landing Royal Lodge last time out, but has received little market support ahead of his Group 1 debut, where he faces seven rivals in the £215,000 test. .

Punters are leaning towards a 7-2 shot DelacroixRyan Moore’s ride, while Royal playwrightwho finished behind Wimbledon Hawkeye at Royal Lodge, was well supported to turn around the form at 8-1 (from 11) alongside Seaplane.

The Futurity Trophy has been won by favorites over the past three years, including 2022 winner Auguste Rodin, and Wimbledon Hawkeye will aim to continue the trend under the leadership of James Doyle.

The competition is one of eight races scheduled to take place at Doncaster, where overnight rain has dampened conditions slightly ahead of the final British Group 1 race of the season.

The track retained its mild description from Friday’s map, but a GoingStick reading of 5.7 Saturday morning showed softening of the ground after showers arrived last night.

Race director David Attwood said: “We had 1.4 millimeters of rain overnight. There was a chance it could come at any time yesterday, so we thought after the race, we could have gotten away with it because it hadn’t arrived, but it arrived later than expected.

“We’re still on soft ground today and have just loosened slightly according to the GoingStick, but it’s nothing very significant. We’re expecting a dry and potentially bright day at times and the ground is actually in better condition than we thought, considering we had 80 runners yesterday.

“We’re quite happy with it this morning, it’s maybe a little gentler but nothing dramatic.”

Elsewhere, Cheltenham are holding the final day of their Showcase meeting, where conditions are good after a dry night with a GoingStick reading of 6.6.

Market players

Cheltenham

4.05 Bowtograndeur 6-1 (out of 8), Man of the theater 15-8 (from 9-4)
4:40 a.m. Sea Fortune 4-1 (from 11-2)

Doncaster

1h30 Harry accelerated procedure 5-1 (from 13-2),La Bellota 8-1 (out of 10)
2.05 Abérama Gold 5-1 (from 11-2)Designer 9-1 (from 11)
2h40 Delacroix 4-1 (from 9-2)royal playwright 8-1 (out of 11)seaplane 8-1 (out of 11)
3.50 Pellitory 9-2 (from 8)
4.25 Navagio 12-1 (out of 25), Roar of thunder 4-1 (out of 6)
5:00 a.m. Albeseeingyer 10-1 (out of 18)
5:30 p.m. Douglas Boy 9-1 (out of 14), Lowton 4-1 (out of 10)

Updated at 10:15 a.m.

Non-runners

Cheltenham

1.10 Doughmore Bay (canned)

Doncaster

2.05 Vespasian (not eaten), King of the stars (in progress)
3.50 Mirabeau (in first preference race)
4.25 Pearle D’Or (not eaten), Kodi Lion (not eaten)
5:00 a.m. Tennessee Gold (not eaten)
5:30 p.m. Prairie Falcon (bad litter), Capote’s Dream (not eaten)

Read Saturday’s previews:

1.10 Cheltenham: “I’m delighted to go on a novice hunt with him” – is there another Ginny’s Destiny in this informative competition?

2.05 Doncaster: “He’s in great form at home” – analysis and key quotes for the Doncaster 5f Handicap

2.20 Cheltenham: “He’s firing on all cylinders” – key analysis and quotes for a competitive handicap hunt

2.40 Doncaster: James Owen ‘damn excited’ as Wimbledon Hawkeye take on powerhouse teams in grand Open Futurity Trophy

2.55 Cheltenham: “He’s upset and his confidence is up” – which manager wants to take his chances in this Pertemps qualifier?

3.30pm Cheltenham: ‘He’ll do well on this faster ground’ – can smart youngster Bottler’secret defy an 8lb penalty?

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