Steeler offers Doncaster hope for Johnston

mark Johnston’s Steeler will have to live up to his name if the Royal Lodge winner is to provide the Middleham trainer with a first victory in the Racing Post Trophy, Saturday’s Group One test for prospective champions at Doncaster.

Aidan O’Brien, the six-time winner, who saddled 2011 hero Camelot, is responsible for a mere six of the 15 remaining entries. His leading hope appears to be Beresford Stakes winner Battle Of Marengo, although hugely impressive Navan maiden scorer Kingsbarns has been supplemented. The other major Irish hope is the Jim Bolger-trained Trading Leather, an impressive winner on Future Champions Day at Newmarket.

Kevin Ryan saddles Glory Awaits, while Richard Hannon has added Van Der Neer to the field. He could also saddle smart youngster Havana Gold as his son-in-law Richard Hughes – the champion jockey-elect – looks to build on his own ‘magnificent seven’ at Windsor last week.

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