Hawk Mountain gives Whelan and O'Brien on the highest of highs at Doncaster

Jockey hopes victory on Hawk Mountain in the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster could help cement his place at Ballydoyle.

CLIMBING UP: Hawk Mountain, ridden by Ronan Whelan (left), on their way to winning the William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse. Pic: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

Ronan Whelan confessed his career was at a "crossroads" before he linked up with Aidan O'Brien this season - but he hopes victory on Hawk Mountain in the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster could help cement his place at Ballydoyle.

Whelan, champion apprentice in Ireland in 2012, is 32 now and was ticking along nicely with a few Group Ones, the highlight being A Case Of You's success in the Prix de l'Abbaye in 2021.