Hawk Mountain led home a one-two-three for trainer Aidan O’Brien when battling on bravely to land the William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.

The son of the late Wootton Bassett – who is out of the top-class Group 1 heroine Hydrangea -leapt to the front of the Epsom Derby ante-post market after getting the better of stablemates Action and Benvenuto Cellini.

In a race that looked sure to be dominated by Aidan O'Brien, who was saddling three of the five runners, Hawk Mountain made virtually every metre of the running under Ronan Wheelan. To his credit, Action continued to put up a persistent challenge inside the final furlong, but Ronan Wheelan galvanised his mount late on and the pair went on to score by half a length.

Benvenuto Cellini attempted to make a move towards the far side, but he couldn't match the finishing kick of the front pair in testing conditions and finished back in third under Christophe Soumillon.

O'Brien, who was landing the contest for a record-extending twelfth time, told ITV Racing: "Three lovely horses I'd say. He's a big powerful strong horse and very classy,"

"We thought he was a Classic horse next year and we thought he could be a guineas horse as well as a derby horse.

"Ronan (Wheelan) gave him a lovely ride and Wayne (Action) did too. Christophe's horse (Benvenuto Cellini) ran a stormer, he's a very good mover his horse. We're delighted really."

Hawk Mountain is now three from four in his career having followed up his breakthrough Curragh maiden success with an impressive victory in the Beresford Stakes.

"He's a classy horse this fella," added O'Brien. "He gets a mile well, he's a massive, big horse and has an unbelievable mind.

"He's very straightforward and you couldn't be happier with him."

Paddy Power cut the winner to 10/1 favourite from 20's for next year's Epsom Derby.