Trainer Karl Burke is confident that his two-time Haydock Park winner, Burning Up, can challenge Aidan O’Brien’s trio in the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, scheduled for Saturday. O’Brien will be represented by Noble Exhibit, Sergei Diaghilev, and Giant Sequoia among 11 original entries as he aims to secure the final Group 1 race of the British flat racing season for a record-extending 13th time.

A victory in the race would bring O’Brien closer to clinching his ninth British trainers’ title, underscoring his continued dominance in the sport. However, Burke is optimistic about his colt, who lost his unbeaten streak last month when finishing second to Ballydoyle’s Haffner in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

Burke noted that the ground at Doncaster is expected to be soft, a condition well-suited to Burning Up. “We took a chance on the quicker ground at Newmarket but he didn’t run a bad race and we learned something,” Burke said. “I’m sure he’s going to be much better on slower ground.”

Burning Up has demonstrated significant improvement since his debut, with Burke highlighting both the colt’s physical development and current condition. “We weren’t expecting too much first time out and he progressed a hell of a lot – and he’s progressed again. Physically, he’s a good-looking horse and he looks in great shape,” Burke added.

Meanwhile, weather has played a role in scheduling, with Storm Austen causing the cancellation of this afternoon’s meeting. A decision regarding next week’s fixture will depend on an inspection set for 8 a.m. on the day of the race.