‘Weather watch’ for Oxagon and Futurity Trophy

Connections of Oxagon are assessing the weather before committing to Saturday’s William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.

The Frankel colt was not disgraced when finishing fifth in the Dewhurst earlier this month and Ted Voute, racing manager to owner Prince Faisal, believes a step up to a mile will be in his favour – but is concerned about rain hitting South Yorkshire.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained two-year-old broke his maiden at Sandown before chasing home subsequent Group One winner Puerto Rico in the Champagne Stakes, beaten only a length, as he showed a liking for Town Moor. A return visit is dependent on the weather, however.

Voute said: “We’re all on weather watch. There are nine in of Aidan O’Brien’s and 13 in all and I’ve been in communication with Peter (Shoemark, racing secretary) at John Gosden’s and they’re watching the weather.

“I’m currently driving to Deauville for a runner that we’ve got and the weather’s fine, but it’s meant to hit tomorrow and come up through the country into England so I would think it depends on that. But it will be quite soft anyhow.

“So it’s up to John and his view of the weather. When we were in the Dewhurst everybody felt that an extra furlong would do quite nicely and a little more juice in the ground, but whether this much juice is what is required we’ll leave that to John.”

Oxagon will then take a break for the summer with long-term plans pointed towards the Prix du Jockey Club at ParisLongchamp.

Voute added: “I think that will be it. I think John Gosden’s first mention was we should aim him at the Prix du Jockey Club and work back from there. I don’t know if that’s still in his mind, but that was his immediate response after the Dewhurst. He thought we should bypass the Guineas and go for the Prix du Jockey Club.”