RACING:AIDAN O'BRIEN pursues a sixth success in today's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster but his former mentor Jim Bolger also has the final Group One of the British season in his sights with Zip Top.
Victory for Zip Top would give Bolger a famous juvenile double just a couple of weeks after Parish Hall gave the Co Carlow-based trainer a memorable Dewhurst success at Newmarket.
With O’Brien doubly represented by the hot favourite Camelot and Learn, Ireland has half the six-strong field that also includes Godolphin’s Encke and John Gosden’s Fencing.
Sheikh Mohammed supplemented Zip Top into the race after the colt’s encouraging third in the Somerville Stakes and Bolger said yesterday: “We liked his run at Newmarket and he was coming home very well. He was finishing off strongly and the step up to a mile should suit him. The form looks good.”
O’Brien’s 18-year-old son Joseph has the responsibility of guiding Camelot who could secure outright Derby favouritism for next year if successful. O’Brien also rode the Montjeu colt on his sole start to date.
“He did it nicely first time out, he was very professional. He’s had a nice break since then. He’s been brought along gently and he seems in good form. I ride him in all his work at home,” the teenager said yesterday.
Jane Davis will begin work as the new general manager of Tipperary racecourse in November.
