MAGRITTE bids to follow in the notable hoofprints of stablemates, High Chaparral and Brian Boru by winning tomorrow's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster before being prepared for a Classic assault next year.

The two-year-old is trained by Aidan O'Brien, who has won this Group 1 prize four times since 1997, including the last twice. High Chaparral, successful in 2001, went on to win the Derby at Epsom, while Brian Boru, last year's Racing Post hero, clinched last month's St Leger on this course.

Jamie Spencer, triumphant on Brian Boru in the Town Moor showpiece, takes the mount on Magritte, deputising for stable jockey Mick Kinane, who is on duty for O'Brien at the Breeders' Cup meeting at Santa Anita in the US.

A son of Sadler's Wells, Magritte won his only start to date, a maiden race at Tipperary, in easy style, and although he faces a much stiffer test tomorrow, it is significant that he has been hand-picked by O'Brien as his main hope in this £200,000 contest.

A total of six horses are set to face the starter, including a second O'Brien runner in Mikado, a winner at Listowel last month. Fantastic View, improving at a rate of knots, represents Richard Hannon, while the big French hope is American Post, who is already a Group 1 winner after his success in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp earlier this month.

American Post, who sets the standard for the race, is the winner of two of his three starts, but all his races have been with ease in the ground, and he may not be quite as much at home on Doncaster's expected fast surface.

Magritte to enhance Aidan O'Brien's impeccable race-record is my idea of the outcome of Britain's last Group 1 Flat race of the season.

The Bubwith Handicap brings together the John Quinn-trained pair, Smart Hostess and Smart Predator, both prolific winners this season.

There should be precious little to choose between this half-brother and sister, but slight preference is for Smart Hostess, a fluent scorer at Pontefract earlier this week, and unlikely to be troubled by a 3lb penalty. Robert Winston again takes the mount on the nap selection.

Nero's Return, a spectacular wide-margin winner on his debut at York two weeks ago, faces Listed company in the Constant Security Doncaster Stakes.

But, so impressive was the Mark Johnston-trained colt on Knavesmire, that he may well be able to cope with this step-up in class. Keith Dalgleish again takes the mount.

Make a note, too, of the dropped-in-class Polar Way (1-55) and the tough-as-teak Makfool (4-15).

At Newbury, High Accolade can finish his season in winning style by clinching the Group 3 St Simon Stakes .

The three-year-old, narrowly beaten by Brian Boru in the St Leger last month, has since scored in pillar-to-post style at Ascot.

Martin Dwyer has the mount again tomorrow on High Accolade, a previous winner on this course.

The promising Torcross (1-40) and the speedy Motu (2-15) are also worth looking out for at Newbury.

Yesterday's winners

Brighton: 2.20 Queenstown 5-4jt fav; 2.50 Billiard 10-1; 3.25 Rojabba 11-4 fav; 3.55 Madrasee 13-2; 4.30 Deeper In Debt 7-4fav; 5.00 Coup De Chance 11-4fav; 5.30 Russian Ruby 3-1fav.

Haydock Park: 2.35 Celebration Town 8-1; 3.05 Ragu 5-2; 3.40 Cassia Heights 6-4fav; 4.10 Fishki's Lad 12-1; 4.45 Another Joker 11-4fav; 5.15 Rival Bidder 4-7 fav.

Saturday's tips:

Doncaster

1-55 Polar Way, 2-30 Adjawar, 3-05 Magritte, 3-40 Nero's Return, 4-15 Makfool, 4-50 Killala, 5-20 Smart Hostess (NAP)

Newbury

1-40 Torcross, 2-15 Motu, 2-45 High Accolade, 3-20 Nuit Sombre, 3-55 Residential 4-30 Holly Hayes, 5-05 Rejuvenate, 5.35 Ameyrah

Tomorrow's other race meetings are at Carlisle, Kempton and Musselburgh.

Updated: 12:29 Friday, October 24, 2003