O’Brien’s rising star to shine at Doncaster

MAGNA GRECIA is a worthy favourite to give Aidan O’Brien an eighth victory in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity (4.05, ITV4) at Doncaster. Punters made the son of Invincible Spirit the 2-1 favourite for his debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Naas last month, and Magna Grecia netted the money with a cosy threeand-a-half-length victory.

O’Brien then pitched my selection into Group 3 company in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket two weeks ago.

Magna Grecia ran a fine race in defeat, going under by just a neck after a duel with the Andre Fabre-trained Persian King.

That was a decent effort in light of the Ballydoyle youngster’s lack of experience – the winner was racing for the fourth time – and it will be a major surprise if further improvement isn’t forthcoming from Donnacha O’Brien’s mount. O’Brien snr (left) has won this one-mile test with the likes of High Chaparral, Camelot and Saxon Warrior, and Magna Grecia is expected to step up to the top level and add his name to the roll of honour.