Preview: Septimus can maintain his unbeaten record and ensure he goes into winter quarters as a leading fancy for next year's Derby with victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster today.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has lifted the mile race four times in the last eight years with the likes of subsequent Classic winners Brian Boru and High Chaparral, and Septimus looks another top-class prospect.

The Sadler's Wells colt, who races in the colours of Derrick Smith, is unbeaten in two starts and he stepped up on his debut win at the Curragh last time.

There was much to like about his narrow win in the Beresford Stakes, not least the way he stayed on and really knuckled down in the closing stages.

Of the battalion of runners from Ballydoyle, Kieren Fallon - successful 12 months ago on subsequent Derby hero Motivator - has opted to ride this one, which is surely a tip in itself.

Stepping Up can do just that in the Group Three Stan James Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury.

Mark Johnston's charge was an impressive winner on his debut at Newcastle but he found Aussie Rules just a touch too good in the Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket.

He looked a bit green that day when going down by just a length but he will have learnt plenty in defeat and can come good here.

Day Flight is fancied to return to form now he has some of his favoured cut in the Stan James St Simon Stakes.

The four-year-old doesn't have many miles on the clock but he notched up a quick hat-trick in some decent events in the spring for trainer John Gosden.

He then found Gamut too good for him at Newmarket, being beaten eight lengths into second, but the winner did benefit from a terrific front-running ride from Fallon.

Stepping back down in grade, Day Flight can finish his season in the best possible way.

Nigel Twiston-Davies can retain the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow courtesy of Rimsky.

The Silver Patriarch gelding made a pleasing start to his hurdling career with a tidy success over Desert Quest earlier in the month and this Grade Two looks a natural progression.

Exotic Dancer arrived from France with a big reputation but after a disappointing hurdling career, he can come into his own in the intercasino.com Molyneux Novices' Chase at Aintree.

Jonjo O'Neill's runner rounded off last season with a decent third in a Grade One at this track and this should be well within his compass.

Racing at Aintree tomorrow, too, where My Will can build on a useful novice campaign last season when he tackles the Grade Two Bonusprint.com Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase.

Already successful on good, soft and even heavy ground, over distances varying from two miles to two miles five furlongs, My Will should be even better this season and, with his stable in excellent form, is fancied to defy a rating of 148 in his first handicap.

A little later in the afternoon at Aintree, Karanja bids to make a winning debut over timber in the two-and-a-half-mile Bonusprint EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

Not seen since getting rid of Nina Carberry at the start of last season's Cheltenham Champion Bumper, he had previously rattled up a hat-trick in that sphere and looks set for a good novice career this season.