Giant Sequoia powers to impressive Futurity Trophy success

Giant Sequoia produced an eyecatching performance to win the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster and in the process virtually guarantee Aidan O’Brien the trainers’ championship.

It was stablemate Sergei Diaghilev who set a brisk pace at the head of the Group One field, before the race began to take shape as they hit the two-furlong pole, with all the runners on the stands side.

Ryan Moore and favourite Noble Exhibit put down their challenge a furlong and a half out, but Giant Sequoia (11-1) was travelling strongly upsides and really picked up when asked by Dylan Browne McMonagle, stretching three lengths clear of Andrew Balding’s staying-on Gran Dia.