Tag Archive for: Newcastle

Tix Picks, Tuesday 24/09/24

/in /by

Tuesday's UK placepots can be played via Tix at Beverley, Fontwell, Newcastle & Warwick...

But, what is Tix?

A video explainer can be found here.

You need a tote account to use Tix. Sign up for one here >

A few more pointers can be found in these articles:

https://www.geegeez.co.uk/exotic-betting-multi-race-bets-part-1/

https://www.geegeez.co.uk/exotic-betting-multi-race-bets-part-2/

Today's pools

Today's UK meetings, pools and minimum guarantees are as follows...

The biggest pot of the day is at Newcastle, where the going is said to be standard on the tapeta for...

Leg 1 : 4.10 Newcastle, a 6-runner, Class 6, 3yo+ handicap over 1m4½f...

Sycamore Gap has made the frame in each of his last three, narrowly failing by a neck over course and distance a week ago. Today's jockey takes 5lbs off an unchanged mark, so this could be the day he finally gets off the mark. Trailblazer was a winner three starts ago, albeit over hurdles but that's the only win any of this field has mustered in a combined 77 starts and his own course and distance form reads 3326, so he could go well again down in class and off a low mark.

Albert Lasker was a runner-up two starts ago over 1m4f at Catterick and is 1lb lower here, whilst bottom-weight Strike Rate was third over this trip at Musselburgh 10 days ago.

Sycamore Gap's team have a good record when turning horses back out within a week of their last run, too...

...whilst a fairly sad-looking Instant Expert graphic confirms the selection of runners (1) Sycamore Gap & (3) Trailblazer...

Leg 2 : 4.45 Newcastle, an 8-runner, Class 6, 3yo+ handicap over 1m2f...

None of these managed to win last time out |(six of them have never won!), but 25-race maiden Fiftyshadesaresdev got to within three quarters of a length from finally winning a race when runner-up here over course and distance a week ago with the re-opposing Vintage Love a further two places and half a length back, but Vintage Love is better off at the weights today and despite also being a maiden after 15 starts has also been getting closer, finishing fourth in three of her last four.

In truth, it's a pretty poor race and one that top-weight Masque of Anarchy should be winning relatively comfortably. He's 2 from 6 here at Newcastle plus a place, he has made the frame 8 times from 17 over this trip (winning 5 times) and his form over course and distance reads 12160. These are probably the three to focus on, but Bellslea might go better in first-time cheekpieces and Three Platoon has made the frame in 5 of 14 A/W starts.

Bellslea will also probably provide the early pace, which might help him 'nick' a place from the front...

...whilst from a stats perspective, Vintage Love's yard are in good recent form and have a decent record turning horses back out quickly...

...so I'll take (6) Vintage Love as my next best to (1) Masque of Anarchy with the outsider (5) Bellslea added in case he sets the pace and the race falls apart behind him.

Leg 3 : 5.20 Newcastle, a 6-runner, Class 5, 2yo novice stakes over 7f...

The form guide points to the improving Mr Fantastic who kicked off with a Class 4 third, then a Class 3 second before another runner-up finish but at Class 2 earlier this month. Down three classes today, he should be tough to beat, although Boston Run was a runner-up in each of his first two starts and despite only finishing 4th of 12 at Haydock next/last time out, he was only a couple of lengths down at the pole. Kirkdale was three quarters of a length further back that day and he has since finished second of seven at Musselburgh, so that bodes well for (1) Boston Run, who I'll take along with (2) Mr Fantastic here.

Leg 4 : 5.55 Newcastle, an 8-runner, Class 5, 2yo maiden fillies stakes over 7f...

Harswell Ruby and Titian Blue both made the frame on debut but both finished sixth next/last time out, whilst Orange Sky's sole run to date saw her finish second of eleven at Newbury and although beaten by four lengths, she was 4.5 lengths clear of the third placed horse in a strung out field. Suhub (4th) was 6.25 lengths behind her, but has since finished second herself at Newmarket, so with a drop in class here (5) Orange Sky would be my first pick.

Next best, based on debut runs would be either of the afore-mentioned Titian Blue or Harswell Ruby who both finished sixth last time out. The former drops one class here, but hasn't raced for nearly four months, whilst the latter drops three classes and should be more race-ready, so (3) Harswell Ruby finds her way onto my Tix ticket builder but in the interest of caution in a trick race to call, I'll hedge my bets and take (8) Titian Blue too!

Leg 5 : 6.30 Newcastle, a 10-runner, Class 6, 2yo nursery over 6f...

Only Monticristo Boy (twice from seven, Stat Goddess (once from ten) and Ashen Glow (once from seven) have ever made the frame with Montecristo finishing second and third in his last two outings. he wasn't sharp/quick enough over 5f at Musselburgh last time out, but the step back up to 6f and the return to Tapeta makes him the most likely here.

He was second of eleven at Southwell on that last 6f tapeta run with the re-opposing Indy's Angel less than half a length further back on her handicap debut, so she could be close to my pick yet again here.

Elsewhere, Ashen Glow represents the formidable A/W partnership of Watson & Doyle and the yard is in good nick right now and has a more than decent record at this venue...

...and with (6) Ashen Glow looking like providing the pace here...

...I have to take her along with the other pair, (3) Monticristo Boy and (5) Indys Angel

Leg 6 : 7.00 Newcastle, a 13-runner, Class 6, 3yo+ handicap over 7f...

Jockey Hollie Doyle is in really good form right now, making the frame in 23 of her 52 rides over the last fortnight and her record on horses trained by Liam Bailey reads 155341 and they team up here with Doomsday, who didn't quite manage to make all over a mile at Musselburgh ten days ago. He did hold on for second, beaten by a neck and should go well again dropped back to 7f, especially having made all win at this trip also at Musselburgh at the start of August.

(4) Doomsday is a clear pick for me on the ticket, but the rest of the field look quite evenly matched, but top-weight Smalleytime is now a pound lower than when winning over course and distance back in April and Drakeholes is only 2lbs higher than his own March C&D success.

Miss Willows was a 7f winner at Catterick three starts ago, whilst Alice's Impact makes an A/W debut after a win and two runner-up finishes from her last four on Turf and is only 2lbs higher than that win.

On the win aspect of Instant Expert, all bar two runners have a full line of red...

...and the same applies with the place stats...

...whilst Doomsday provides the pace...

...cementing (1) Smalleytime, (2) Drakeholes and (4) Doomsday as my picks here

All of which gives me...

Leg 1: horses 1 & 3

Leg 2: horses 1, 5 & 6

Leg 3: horses 1 & 2

Leg 4: horses 3, 5 & 8

Leg 5: horses 3, 5 & 6

Leg 6: horses 1, 2 & 4

...and here's how I'd play them, whilst trying to stay close to a nominal £20 total stake...

Good Luck!
Chris

PS A quick reminder, I'm currently on a small island off the coast of Bali and tomorrow, I need to get over to the ferry port, sail back to Bali and then get to my next hotel on the main island, so I won't be doing a piece for Wednesday's racing, sorry!



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Tix Picks, 10th September 2024

/in /by

A small winner on Saturday and a loser yesterday, and on we go to Tuesday. Chris is 'transitioning' from cold Lancashire to warm, sunny Bali for... checks notes... the next four weeks! Lucky bugger. He'll still be helping out from there, though, so he will be taking Tix Picks forward after this one from me...

 

 

What is Tix and how can I put it to work for me?

A video explainer can be found here.

You need a tote account to use Tix. Sign up for one here >

A few more pointers on smart play can be found in these articles:

https://www.geegeez.co.uk/exotic-betting-multi-race-bets-part-1/
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/exotic-betting-multi-race-bets-part-2/

 

Today's pools

Today's meetings, pools and minimum guarantees are as follows, including a jackpot rollover expected to surpass £50,000. A winning penny line could pay £500+, and I'll be having a tilt (though not until much closer to the off).

 

 

Tix Picks meeting / pool: Newcastle, placepot

As mentioned I'll be having a crack at the jackpot later, but I want to see as many of the market 'vibes' as I can before entering that pool. Meanwhile, you'll get a feel for my thinking via a placepot play on the same Newcastle card.

Leg 1:  Grant Tuer is in bamboozling form just now and Caledonian Dream went on to my tracker in July. Since then, he's gone from the front twice in handicaps and been a little flat each time. My view is he probably needs a more patient ride, which he might get here; but without knowing that, it's a bit of a guess up. Ollie Stammers is again in the saddle. I'll be slightly frustrated if he is waited with and comes through to win, but I won't be surprised. B.

Interestingly, perhaps, Tuer also saddles the second favourite, Shielas Well, which former champion Silvestre de Sousa rides. She's been running on in each of her most recent three spins, all at a furlong shorter, and with SdS up top is expected to go well. A.

Top weight Himself is the other for early money but, honestly, I cannot see why. A flat enough effort over six here then a nothing performance first time in a handicap last time; and nothing in the trainer's MO to suggest that second time handicap is the time (1 from 31, 3 more placed, 27% PRB in the last two years). Just no fingerprints on this one at all for me.

More interesting is Force Of Honour, who showed a bit when upped from six to seven last time and who can show more now up another furlong. He's been green in a couple of his races and I actually quite like him, albeit he's the sort that could blow out completely. Put it this way: there are plenty here that have shown they're moderate, he has yet to unequivocally confirm as much! B.

Bobby Jones is another who might benefit from the longer trip and also gets B coverage in what is a messy race.

Leg 2: The Fanshawe team has been tearing it up recently and Philanthropist, a neck second at Yarmouth last time, looks A banker material. He's a cheap place lay to insure your bet if you're that way inclined; or you might choose a couple of C alternatives and hope to land A picks in the other five legs.

Leg 3: Seven runners. Yuk. Top of the market is shared between a horse in recent winning form and a handicap debutant from a big yard which has yet to get closer than nine lengths behind a race winner. Titainium is proven at the ten furlong trip and is versatile in terms of run style; up four pounds from a win last time, he might go in again.

But Sarmiento Power's debut effort behind Monkey Island was a strong piece of form and promised much more than his subsequent two performances. Now handicapped, off just 64 (he cost 200,000 guineas as a yearling), and up three furlongs in trip having been gelded since his last race, surely it's time to show what he's really made of.

I thought Solar Bentley had a hard enough race on heavy at Ffos Las 11 days ago and am opposing on that basis; he's up seven pounds for it in any case. Meanwhile, Archie and Hollie have a ridic 32.53% win rate from 83 starters when combining here in the past two years. That demands a second look at Perfectly Timed, who gets blinkers for the first time. That blinkers angle is less arousing, however, though a 50% PRB with such types over two years isn't bad either.

Although not making my placepot tickets, one I've had a tiny win bet on and might lob on C for the jackpot later is Parish Record. Trainer Donald Whillans is top of the PRB pops for three separate and largely unrelated categories, so this trainer switch from Jim Bolger (whose 2024 numbers are *not* good - see second image below) is really interesting.

Whillans' sole other trainer switch in the two year period was a 25/1 shot, which finished 3rd.

For the placepot I'm going with dual A's from the top of the market. Not exciting but they're both highly credible in different ways.

Leg 4: It is not normally the play to go from the front in big field 6f handicaps here, but Asimov may get a relatively soft time of it and, in any case, is from the Fanshawe barn. On the other side of the track, if Juicy is given a more patient ride, she might be in the mix; she's won or been close up in all four AW runs. Both on A.

Quintus Arrius has had 15 races and won two of them. On all-weather, he's had one race and he won it. Here. Over this trip. He led that day and is extremely well in on old form. Interesting. B.

There are three multiple 'Fast Finishers' in this field: Dark Kestrel, Bellagio Man and Faro De San Juan. The first named pair are both trained by Antony Brittain and could be fun plays at big prices but I'll let them beat me. Faro is another Dylan Cunha raider but his best form is at five furlongs so, even though David Egan is booked, I'll also reluctantly defer on him.

But one I can't completely overlook is Rough Diamond. Four of his five wins have been at 6f in big fields and he drops back to this trip from seven for his new trainer, Tristan Davidson. He's well weighted on old form and ran a good race last time before flattening out in the last furlong. A stiff six could be perfect. B.

Leg 5: This looks tricky. Barefoot Warrior won nicely at Thirsk last time but I'm not sure how strong the race was and he shoulders a seven pound penalty now: he's going on B. Stanage has had four goes for the Gosdens and is yet to win, though he has placed in £20k+ to the winner novice races the last twice. He's been gelded since last time and John & Thady are 11/33 after making the unkindest cut of all. I'll risk him as a sole A.

Also on B, I want the Crisford's Buon Viaggio, who was an eye-catching fourth at Chelmsford the other day. Simon & Ed are 24 from 101 with second time starters, 51 of them in the frame, in the past two years.

I'm lukewarm on a few of the others, notably Classic Encounter (switching from Charlie Appleby to George Boughey) and Lattaash, whose Southwell form is hard to peg and it can't be a positive that he was gelded in spite of winning. Both have shown competitive form so I might well be wrong.

Leg 6:  A full field as I write for the closing leg of the placepot and, actually, it's the first race I looked at in the sequence. That's because it's difficult and, if working through the six races chronologically, I might have found myself 'short stacked' (i.e. needing to go narrow from a bankroll perspective even though I know I want to be spread out from a play perspective). Assuming that made any sense, there's a negligible/debatable draw bias but a reasonable pace bias: in full field handicaps over 7f it's hard to win from the front. Other run styles have shared the honours pretty much and, when there's not a lot of obvious pace on - like this race on paper - I want a prominent/midfield runner rather than a hold up one.

 

The solid one, relatively at least, is Havanarama. Hugo Palmer legs up Callum Rodriguez and the former geegeez-sponsored rider is performing out of his skin this season. He's always been one of the best pace judges in the weighing room and this seven is a stern test of that particular skill. The jockey data for COURSE (Co) on Instant Expert, this image taken from the portrait mobile view (which shows the colour codes and the number of runs on which the colouring is based), reveals as much:

 

Indeed, of Callum's last 15 rides at Newcastle, he's been in the frame in 12 of them. If that hasn't given him the kiss of death, nothing will! Havanarama himself has been second on both Newcastle runs, smaller fields each time, and it might be that this bigger group allows him to finish to even greater effect. A.

Dylan Cunha sends Jackson Street all the way up from Newmarket and has booked Silvestre de Sousa to steer. This lad's AW form is a lot better than his turf efforts and he was doing all his best work late around Chelmsford when last seen. He can go close. A.

This is a tougher assignment for Flavour Maker than when dead heating at Kempton last time, but the straight track should also play to the finishing ability he displayed there. Still, I'm not quite so keen on him than the aforementioned pair. B.

Eminent Jewel is another who finishes off well, but her good recent form has been on turf. She might be able to translate it but I'm preferring to add the late runner Petra Celera to B. Although she might end up being too far back if they go steady in front, she's got some great fast finishes when the early tempo is rapid, as her Full Form (show sectionals, note the orange - fastest finisher in the race - "go faster stripes") attests.

 

*

No C tickets today, but a fair bit of B coverage. This is more of a, excuse me, sh*t or bust perm than I've shared recently but will hopefully be good fun at least.

It's £18.88 to 4p units, so £4.72 for pennies.

 

 

 

Good luck!

Matt

p.s. Chris will return for tomorrow's Tix Picks and will assume residency thereafter. I've enjoyed sharing a few thoughts on how I play as well as what I'm playing, and if you have any questions do drop them in the comments.

 

Play on Tix yourself here >>

 

 

 



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Four-timer gives Ireland hope of retaining Racing League title

/in /by

Ireland gave themselves a fighting chance of retaining the Racing League title at Southwell next week following a fantastic four-timer at Newcastle on the penultimate night of action.

Kevin Blake’s team came out on top in a titanic tussle for the trophy last year but looked out of the running heading to Gosforth Park for night five of six.

However, Irish eyes were smiling in the north east as the defending champions roared back into some form of contention thanks to their four winners on the night.

It leaves them 110.5 points behind Wales and The West who take a 41.5 lead over London and The South to Nottinghamshire – mainly in thanks to Harry Charlton’s Ten Pounds (9-2) who claimed the feature tote.co.uk Let’s Gan Into Toon Racing League R35 Handicap in the manner of a top-class horse.

Kevin Blake oversees Team Ireland plans in the Racing League
Kevin Blake oversees Team Ireland plans in the Racing League (Simon Marper/PA)

Blake said: “This looked the most competitive fixture of the competition so far and the North, Scotland and Yorkshire all had a big team of runners.

“I didn’t think anyone would be individually performing very well but when the luck bounces your way you take it.

“I thought I had a good, solid team, but I could just as easily had no winner and a bunch of them run well so you have to take it.”

Road To Wembley gave the Irish a brilliant start as Richard Hughes’ 2-1 favourite showed plenty of resolution to hold off the strong challenge of Sir Mark Prescott’s hat-trick seeking Almudena.

Road To Wembley ridden (centre right) winning the opener
Road To Wembley ridden (centre right) winning the opener (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Finley Marsh’s mount lead home a one-three for the team in green in the tote.co.uk Wey Aye The Placepot Racing League R29 Handicap with the winning rider having plenty of confidence in the improving stayer.

Marsh said: “It was good placement from the boss and he got a good allowance here with the three-year-old allowance.

“It was a tactical race and they went slow and turned into a sprint. I had to get him ready and let him go when I did, I would rather have waited but I had full confidence in the horse.

“I saw a few creeping up on the outside as we knew it was going to be a sprint, but he picked up and I got a nice split and I didn’t mind kicking three-furlongs down as I knew he was going to get to the line and I couldn’t pull him up afterwards.”

There was drama before the off in the tote.co.uk Alreet Pet Racing League R30 Handicap as the East region’s big hope, Sir Michael Stoute’s Fox Legacy, was withdrawn at the start and allowing Andrew Slattery’s Irish raider Cloud Seeker to claim the spoils at odds of 5-1.

Marsh was then on the scoresheet for the second time in the tote.co.uk’s Canny Good Like Racing League R31 Handicap when Mark Loughnane’s Bright (12-1) continued Ireland’s fine night in the north east, before Kamboo gave Hughes a second winner of the evening and Ireland there fourth.

A runner in both the Derby and at Royal Ascot this summer, the son of Awtaad was sent off the 9-4 favourite for the tote.co.uk Howay The Lads Racing League R32 Handicap in the hands of Cieren Fallon and could have a bright future.

“He’s a beautiful horse who moves well and covers the ground easy,” Fallon told Sky Sports Racing.

“He’s got a great attitude, he’s off a really nice mark and I think he’s going to go through the ranks especially moving up in trip.”

Tolstoy pounced late at Newcastle
Tolstoy pounced late at Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA)

The North registered a victory on their home patch as Newcastle’s own Brian Ellison saddled Tolstoy (15-2) to win the tote.co.uk Howay The Lasses Racing League R33 Handicap.

Team manager Mick Quinn said: “We’re on the board at our home track and it’s great to have at least one winner here.

“I’ve told Kevin from Ireland he won’t have another winner before the end of the meeting.”

Early pacesetters the East lost their position at the top of the standings at Windsor last week, but remain with a puncher’s chance of Racing League glory after James Fanshawe’s Heathcliff (6-1) sealed a maximum 25 points in the tote.co.uk Pure Belta Racing League R34 Handicap.

They finished the evening in third place in the table on 626 points, 63.5 adrift of Jamie Osborne’s 2022 champions Wales and The West.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Ellison eyeing big-race double with Onesmoothoperator

/in /by

Onesmoothoperator is likely to head straight for the Sky Bet Ebor after fulfilling a lifelong ambition for trainer Brian Ellison by landing Saturday’s Northumberland Plate.

Born in Newcastle on Plate day in 1952, proud Geordie Ellison – who celebrated his 72nd birthday on Friday – has never hidden his burning desire to land a race known to the locals as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’.

Having come close with runner-up Seamour eight years ago, the Norton-based trainer finally struck gold in the Gosforth Park feature last weekend as Onesmoothoperator cruised to an emphatic victory and sparked emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure.

“It was a great day, wasn’t it? The owner lives five minutes from the course, so we went there and had a barbeque and had a good night,” said Ellison.

“On the day it didn’t really sink in, you always think it’s not going to happen, don’t you? But he was very impressive.”

As a North Yorkshire trainer, the Ebor is also high up on Ellison’s list of priorities.

The trainer saddled Moyenne Corniche to win the prestigious York handicap in 2011 and considers Onesmoothoperator an ideal candidate as he looks to double his tally on August 24.

Connor Beasley and Onesmoothoperator winning the Northumberland Plate
Connor Beasley and Onesmoothoperator winning the Northumberland Plate (Steve Welsh/PA)

“We’ll look at the Ebor and I think that will probably be his next run,” Ellison added.

“It would be nice to win it again and it’s obviously a good money race now (worth £500,000).

“We’ve found out he wants a bit more time between races, so we probably won’t run again before York.”

Ellison also ran the high-class Tashkhan in the Northumberland Plate, with the six-year-old weakening out of contention after forcing the early gallop.

However, given he had been off the track since finishing third in the Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp in October, the trainer is not giving up on his high-class stayer just yet.

He said: “Tashkhan has come out of it well, he’ll be in the Ebor and maybe the Lonsdale Cup as well.

“I looked at him in the paddock the other day and I just thought he looked like he might need the run, whereas the other fella was spot-on.

“Wherever it’s soft ground, that’s where he’ll go.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Irish raider Alphonse Le Grande storms to Vase victory

/in /by

Alphonse Le Grande finished with a flourish to ensure the Jenningsbet Festival Northumberland Vase went to Ireland for the second year in succession.

While a consolation race for the more prestigious and valuable Northumberland Plate, with a total prize fund of £75,000 up for grabs, the two-mile contest is a competitive event in its own right.

Matthew Smith’s La Hacienda was victorious in last year’s renewal and 12 months on, Alphonse Le Grande was all the rage as the 3-1 favourite, as he looked to complete his hat-trick following spring triumphs at Dundalk and Chester for trainer Tony Martin.

With the County Meath handler currently serving a three-month suspension for breaking anti-doping rules, Alphonse Le Grande is now running under the name of his sister, Cathy O’Leary, and both were in attendance for his bid for big-race honours at Gosforth Park.

Show No Fear took the 14-strong line-up along for much of the two-mile journey and briefly looked to have slipped the field with a couple of furlongs to run, but Hollie Doyle never panicked in behind on the market leader, who was well on top as he passed the post with a length and a quarter in hand.

“He’s been working well and we’ve been very happy with him. He’s been doing everything right and it worked out well,” said O’Leary.

Hollie Doyle winning aboard Alphonse Le Grande at Newcastle
Hollie Doyle winning aboard Alphonse Le Grande at Newcastle (Steve Welsh/PA)

“Leading up to the race, we were hopeful, we thought he was in great form. Hollie is a great girl, we had Nina Carberry in Ireland and this girl is the same over here.

“I’m delighted for the boys that own him, there’s nothing better than to come over here and win a good handicap. They’re not Group horses or Classic horses, but to have them right on the day and win a pot like this is better than winning two or three little pots.”

Doyle added: “He’s a lovely horse, very tractable and he jumped better than I expected.

“The pace was slow, I managed to slot in, he relaxed well and the further I went, the better.

“I felt very confident, I was just trying to hold on to a bit before I went for him, but he was very genuine.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Northumberland Plate joy for Ellison with Onesmoothoperator

/in /by

Onesmoothoperator lived up to his name when cruising through to claim an emotional victory in the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap for Newcastle-born trainer Brian Ellison.

The handler was born on Pitmen’s Derby day back in 1952 and celebrated his 72nd birthday on Friday.

He has never made any secret of his desire to land this prestigious north-east prize and the success of Onesmoothoperator sparked jubilant scenes in the winner’s enclosure at Gosforth Park.

Given a confident ride by Connor Beasley, the 12-1 winner eased through to the front at the furlong pole on the nearside rail and comfortably beat 40-1 outsider Evaluation by two and a half lengths.

Ellison said: “I’ve been wanting to win it for a long time and we knew we had him right. In the last two days, we were a bit worried about the surface being on the soft side, but the lads came in today and said it was riding a lot quicker.

“I told Connor not to worry about the pace, as I knew Tashkhan was going to be up there and made sure there was a good pace. They went a helluva gallop and when this horse is on-song, he’s some animal.

“Turning in I said ‘this has hacked up!’ Connor said he could have won on the bridle, but he’s a good horse when he’s right.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. I thought we’d won it with Seamour one year (2016), when he went clear and got caught, and we’ve come here trying to win it before and been disappointed.

“It’s always in the back of your mind that you’re going to get disappointed and it hasn’t sunk in that we’ve won it, but it’s fantastic.

Northumberland Plate Day – Newcastle Racecourse – Saturday June 29th
Connor Beasley winning aboard Onesmoothoperator (Steve Welsh/PA).

“Connor used to come to mine to ride when he was a baby, as his mum and dad worked for me. We go back a long way.

“I’m from here and have got a lot of connections here and a lot of family and friends. It’s great for the north and great for Newcastle – it’s a great race to be in.

“It’s got to be (the best day of my training career). Everyone says ‘you’ve got to win the Plate’ and it’s nice to get the monkey off your back.”

Winning owner Patrick Boyle, also a proud Geordie, said: “It’s a big thrill, it’s the biggest race in the north east and I’m from just round the corner.

“He travelled brilliant and we knew the horse was in great form. He has to come off a strong pace and he did. Fair play to Brian and the team, they’re the guys that do it all.

“I think we’ll have a celebration tonight. Brian is a great friend and he’s got family here. It means a lot for him and I’m delighted.”

Beasley added: “It’s a dream come true, to be honest. It’s obviously a race Brian always wanted to win and I’ve known him since I was a young child.

“I wouldn’t ride very often for Brian, so it was a privilege to be on board in a race that is very highly regarded on his calendar and it’s a fantastic training performance really.

“He gave me some spin round there, he travelled lovely and if anything he’s probably got to the front too soon. He had nothing to carry him, but when I did ask him the question, he was electric to the line.

“I’m over the moon for Brian and the team. This race has been on the agenda for a long time and I’m honoured to do the job for him.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Montassib runs down Kinross to snatch Chipchase spoils

/in /by

Montassib claimed the most notable victory of his career to date when narrowly outpointing Kinross in the Jenningsbet Nun Street Newcastle Open Now Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle.

As a dual Group One and multiple Group Two winner, Ralph Beckett’s Kinross brought a touch of star quality to this six-furlong Group Three – and having sidestepped the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, the seven-year-old was a 5-2 favourite on what his first outing since October.

The William Haggas-trained Montassib, who actually made a winning debut at Newcastle four years ago, landed Doncaster’s Cammidge Trophy on his first start of 2024, before finishing a creditable sixth in last month’s Duke of York Stakes.

After coming under pressure shortly after halfway, Kinross battled his way to the front under Hector Crouch, but he was unable to resist the late surge of 7-2 shot Montassib and Cieren Fallon, who got up to score by three-quarters of a length.

Haggas, who was landing this prize for the third year in succession following the recent triumphs of Sense Of Duty and Tiber Flow, said of his latest victor: “I’m delighted to win a Group Three with him, he’s a good horse who just wants a bit of cut in the ground.

“I’m not sure where we’ll go now, but he won’t go to Goodwood for the Stewards’ Cup. He’d have to carry a Group-race penalty now, so I think we’re doomed (in handicap company).

“I think we’ll stick to stakes races and go wherever we can get a bit of dig in the ground.

“He’ll be an outsider, but it would be nice to think he might end up running on Champions Day at Ascot.”

Cieren Fallon with Montassib at Newcastle
Cieren Fallon with Montassib at Newcastle (Steve Welsh/PA)

Fallon was completing a quickfire double on the card for his boss after Wiltshire’s victory in the opening race.

He said: “He’s such a good horse and he has such a turn of foot off a strong gallop. We saw it at Doncaster, where he had nowhere to go with half a furlong to go and he got the gap and off he went. It was the same today.

“At York the last day, things didn’t work out, I didn’t give him the best of rides and I had to make up for it today. I was very confident, as with Kinross coming in off such a long lay-off, I thought if I was going to get him anywhere, it was going to be in the last half-furlong and everything went right.”

Crouch was pleased with the performance of Kinross on his comeback, saying: “He ran a cracker, he just got tired in the last half-furlong and was run down by a race-fit rival.

“He’s no slouch the winner and Kinross is right where we want him to be. He’s going to step forwards and has bigger targets. It’s really going to bring him forwards, I was pleased that he battled hard, he went and hit the front and just got tired.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Tiffany comes home alone in Newcastle feature

/in /by

Tiffany’s rapid rise through the ranks continued apace at Newcastle on Friday evening, with Sir Mark Prescott’s filly easily accounting for some smart rivals in the Jenningsbet In Delves Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes.

A daughter of Farhh, the four-year-old won a Windsor handicap last July off a lowly mark of 72 and in typical Prescott manner has not stopped improving since.

Her only defeat in five subsequent races came in the Racing League back at Windsor and her last two victories had been at Listed level in Germany.

Upped in class again to Group Three level, the Elite Racing-owned homebred was always in the box seat under Luke Morris, tracking the leader into the home straight.

When Tiffany (7-2 joint-favourite) hit the front well over two furlongs out, the result never looked in doubt as she beat Karl Burke’s German Guineas winner Darnation by two and a half lengths.

Tiffany has an entry in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and Paddy Power cut her to 12-1 from 20s for that event.

Morris said: “She’s been a credit to Sir Mark and the whole team at Heath House, she started off a mark in the 70s and now she’s 109 and a Group Three winner.

“She’s a real advocate for patience and letting a horse come to themselves, because if we’d dived in to soon she may have cracked. To me, she felt like a filly well worth a crack at the top level on that run.

“She’s a very smooth-travelling filly and you can ride her where you want. I knew she stayed further because of her last run so the plan was to kick on and try to outstay them.”

Prescott’s assistant trainer William Butler said: “It’s a pleasure to train these improving fillies for these good owner-breeders, they let you be patient.

“Looking through her form, when she won at Wolverhampton last year Isle Of Jura (Hardwicke winner) was fourth so it’s all there, in the book.

“There was a day she got beaten at Windsor we were disappointed, but the winner was Richard Fahey’s globetrotter (Spirit Dancer)!.

“With another year on her back she’s just improved again, it’s every run. We’ll just take it step by step, but the Group One option is there and so is the option to go up in trip.”

Darnation could return to Germany next
Darnation could return to Germany next (Tim Goode/PA)

Meanwhile, Burke is contemplating a return to Germany for the runner-up.

“I’m delighted with the run and we’ve been beaten by a very good filly,” he said.

“She’s favourite for the German Oaks at Dusseldorf on August 4 over a mile and three and I didn’t want to jump straight up from a mile.

“Timing-wise this was a lovely stepping stone and she doesn’t want fast ground, so we had to come here.

“We’re very pleased as she had a 5lb penalty for her Group Two win. She’ll go to the German Oaks now, all being well, and after that she’s in the Yorkshire Oaks and we’ll just play it by ear. It depends on the ground as much as anything.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Hollie Doyle dreaming of more Plate glory with Trooper Bisdee

/in /by

Hollie Doyle has the opportunity to win a second Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate in three years at Newcastle on Saturday after picking up the ride on likely favourite Trooper Bisdee.

The record-breaking jockey received a rousing reception from the Gosforth Park faithful two years ago after star stayer Trueshan put up a tremendous weight-carrying performance to land the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ – and she has high hopes of repeating the feat on her return to the north east this weekend.

Trooper Bisdee is a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver, winning six of his nine starts since entering the handicap arena – and he is four from five since stepping up to two miles and beyond.

He carries a 5lb penalty following his latest romp at Pontefract on Sunday and with Prescott’s stable jockey Luke Morris in action at the Curragh, Doyle is delighted to have been given the call-up.

“It’s great to ride for Sir Mark, we all know how good a trainer he is. He had a Royal Ascot winner last week (Pledgeofallegiance in the Ascot Stakes) and his horses are flying,” she said.

“Trooper Bisdee looks fairly progressive and has such a good record. Sir Mark is such a shrewd target trainer and you would imagine this has been a target and he is going to have not a lot of weight to carry (8st 6lb). You just hope he can translate his recent form on turf to the all-weather really.

“It would be amazing to win the race again. You can never forget Trueshan’s weight-carrying performance, but it’s good to get a good ride and hopefully I can do it again.”

Hugo Palmer saddles Chester Cup winner Zoffee and his talented stablemate Solent Gateway.

The tough-as-teak Zoffee won the Northumberland Vase over the course and distance a couple of years ago, while Solent Gateway was beaten less than two lengths into third place by Trueshan in the Plate.

Zoffee and Harry Davies (left) winning the Chester Cup
Zoffee and Harry Davies (left) winning the Chester Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)

Palmer, who struck gold with Caravan Of Hope in 2020, told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s a race we always target and I’m delighted to have won it before, although maddeningly it was in the Covid year and it was only worth £25,000 to the winner. It’s considerably more this year, thankfully.

“I’m as happy with Zoffee now as I was going into Chester. He looks absolutely fantastic, he’s proven on the surface, but it’s a 20-runner handicap and things are going to need to go right for him.

“He’s gone up 4lb for Chester, so he’s going to need to improve, but he was very competitive in last year’s Chester Cup off 93 (finished second), so we’ve only got a pound to improve really.

“Solent Gateway ran poorly in the Chester Cup, but he ran really well in a race he actually won last year when second at Haydock two weeks later.

“I think he’s grown in confidence from that, he’s finished third in this race before and has got good all-weather form, so I’d be hopeful of a big run from him, too.”

Michael Bell has high hopes for Duke Of Oxford, who found only Prydwen too strong in the All-Weather Championships Marathon at Newcastle on Good Friday but was unable to land a blow in the Chester Cup last time out.

Bell expects an improved performance, but admits a high draw in stall 20 is a concern.

“He’s very well, but we’re slightly deflated because he’s drawn 20, which is not ideal. He’s got a very good record at the track, so we’re going to need a little bit of luck from the draw,” said the Newmarket handler.

“When he was second up there at the end of March on Finals Day, that was his second time at the track and he handled it the time before as well, so his season has revolved around going to Chester and then going here.

“Unfortunately, at Chester we were drawn in the car park and unfortunately we’re drawn in the car park again!

“Chester is obviously a completely different ballgame when you’re drawn high and I think this is doable, but it’s going to need a little bit of tactical nous from Tyler (Heard) as to whether we go forward and get in or whether we drop in.

“It’s not complete doom and gloom, but you’d probably rather be drawn in the middle. He’s still relatively lightly raced and on his run behind Prydwen he looks well handicapped, so he definitely should be one of the market leaders.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Kinross hunting Chipchase crown at Newcastle

/in /by

Dual Group One winner Kinross is the star attraction in the Jenningsbet Nun Street Newcastle Open Now Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has been a fantastic servant to trainer Ralph Beckett and owner Marc Chan, winning 10 of his 28 career starts to date, including successive Group One wins in the Prix de la Foret and Qipco British Champions Sprint in 2022.

Last season, the gelded son of Kingman landed his second Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and successfully defended his crown in the City of York Stakes, before being touched off when bidding for back-to-back wins at both ParisLongchamp and at Ascot on Champions Day.

Having again been saved for a late-season campaign, Kinross was originally due to make his reappearance in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last weekend, but he instead travels to Newcastle for what will be his first start on the all-weather since winning at Kempton four years ago.

“We just felt running over six furlongs on fast ground at Ascot would be too much for him at his age now and the extra week probably isn’t a bad thing,” said the owner’s racing manager, Jamie McCalmont.

“Starting back on a synthetic surface looks a suitable thing to do and he should be competitive. Obviously he’ll improve from the run, but we’ll see.

“If he comes out of Newcastle well, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t run back two weeks later in the July Cup, but it just depends on how he comes out of the race.

“After that, there’s Goodwood for the Lennox Stakes and there’s the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville around that time as well, so you’ve got both of those options.”

Montassib (left) winning the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster
Montassib (left) winning the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster (Nigel French/PA)

William Haggas has saddled the last two winners of this Group Three contest in Sense Of Duty and Tiber Flow and again has a leading contender in the form of Montassib.

A winner over the course and distance on his racecourse debut in 2020, the six-year-old won the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on his first start of the current campaign and was last seen finishing a creditable sixth in the Duke of York Stakes.

Karl Burke is looking forward to firing a twin assault, with last year’s runner-up Spycatcher joined by stablemate Cold Case, who has been off the track since finishing fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last August.

“Cold Case is coming back off an injury from last year and he will definitely improve for the run fitness-wise, but he’s working nicely and we’re very happy with him,” said the Spigot Lodge handler.

“Spycatcher looks in great form and is stripping very fit and has always run well at Newcastle. I think the ground was just against him in the Duke of York last time (finished 11th) and we’ve put a line through that. He’s bounced out of the race really well.

“They’re two very good horses and if they were both fully fit, they’d be very difficult to split, probably fitness will just favour Spycatcher I would have thought, but I’d say it was a hard enough decision for Clifford Lee.”

Albasheer (Archie Watson), Ramazan (Richard Fahey) and Popmaster (Ed Walker) also feature.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Darnation back on home ground for Hoppings assignment

/in /by

Karl Burke’s German Guineas winner Darnation turns her hand to the all-weather in the Jenningsbet In Delves Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes at Newcastle on Friday.

The daughter of Too Darn Hot was twice a Group winner as a two-year-old, taking the Prestige Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood and the May Hill at Doncaster before finishing fifth at the top level in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

She contested the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her first run of the term and was well beaten, coming home ahead of only two rivals, but she bounced back when heading to Dusseldorf to win the German equivalent of the race by two and a quarter lengths.

Now back on home turf in Group Three company, the three-year-old will step up in trip from a mile to 10 furlongs ahead of a planned return to Dusseldorf for the German Oaks.

“She’s in good order and looks great. We’re stepping up in trip, mainly because we’re keen to go back to Dusseldorf for the German Oaks, which is over a mile and three (furlongs),” said Burke.

“She’s never run on the all-weather, but she works on it most weeks and certainly seems to work well enough on it at home. We’re looking forward to seeing her run and hopefully she can put up a good show.”

A key rival, and one with course and distance form, is Sir Mark Prescott’s Tiffany, who runs in the colours of the Elite Racing Club.

Second behind subsequent Neom Turf Cup winner Spirit Dancer in the Racing League last season, Tiffany finished her year with a Listed win in Germany and started 2024 with another when taking a Baden-Baden contest by over four lengths in late May.

Now returning to the all-weather, where she won over this trip last season, the four-year-old has been drawn in stall four and is well fancied ahead of the run.

“Tiffany is a course and distance winner, she’s been a prolific winner. On the official ratings she comes out best,” her Heath House trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“Her last run was probably a bit better than we realised given how the race worked out. She’s there with every chance, but there are some very nice fillies there, I thought Sapphire Seas and Chic Colombine looked major dangers and I’d have liked to have been drawn wide.

“But if you are best in on the ratings for a Group race with a filly you are very lucky and you must have a pop at it.

“She’s won her last two Listed races and she’s not penalised for that. If I was looking through it as another trainer she’d be one you’d be hoping wouldn’t turn up.

“I hope she continues to progress and I’ve given her some fancy entries.”

Amy Murphy runs Miss Cantik, an all-weather debutant who was second in a Listed contest at Longchamp last season and was most recently seen finishing third when beaten three and a half lengths in the Brigadier Gerard.

“She’s in good form and I thought she ran very well in the Brigadier Gerard last time out,” said Murphy.

“We’re looking forward to running her, the all-weather will be a bit of a new task for her but I’m sure she’ll take it in her stride.”

Sure to be popular will be George Boughey’s Chic Columbine, a three-year-old last seen missing out by just a neck to Breege in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.

Charlie Appleby’s Sapphire Seas is also leading fancy, one of two runners for the trainer as he is also set to saddle Shining Jewel.

“We are applying a hood to Sapphire Seas, which will hopefully allow her to do everything the right way round,” the trainer said via the Godolphin website.

“She has been a little disappointing on her last two starts and not finishing her race. Dropping back to a mile and a quarter should suit and, if she can rekindle her best form, it will make her a player.

“Shining Jewel is having her first start since Dubai, where she ran consistently. Her preparation has gone well and we are hoping she can be competitive.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Tiffany has Hoppings date for Prescott

/in /by

Sir Mark Prescott’s Tiffany has the JenningsBet In Delves Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes on her agenda after a fruitful visit to Baden-Baden last time out.

The four-year-old, who is by Farhh, has been patiently handled having only run once at the very end of her juvenile season.

Last year she was more active and did plenty to please connections, winning four times from seven starts and ending her season on a high when landing a Listed 10-furlong event at Hanover.

Her earlier run in the Racing League at Windsor also proved to be notable as she was beaten a neck by Spirit Dancer, subsequent winner of the Strensall Stakes, the Bahrain International Trophy and more recently the Neom Turf Cup.

This year Tiffany began her campaign in another Listed contest in Germany, this time heading to Baden-Baden to compete over a mile and three furlongs in late May.

Under Luke Morris she took another step forward, impressing with a comfortable four-and-a-half-length victory.

“It was good, it was a step up on what she did last year which we hoped she’d do,” Dan Downie of owner-breeder Elite Racing Club said of her last run.

“We had this race in the back of our minds after that, it’s normally really competitive but it doesn’t look quite as competitive as we feared it might – hence why she’ll probably run.

“She’s got some nice form, it’s all coming together hopefully, she’s a filly we’ve always liked but we’ve just taken our time with her.

“I think we will how she goes and make a bit of a plan after that, it probably depends on this race.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Egan drives home Elegant Man for Easter Classic glory

/in /by

Elegant Man put up an imperious display to make nearly every yard of the running in the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap at Newcastle.

A son of the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup winner Arrogate, he is trained in Ireland by Adrian Murray.

There was plenty going against him, though, because as well as carrying top weight on just his fourth outing, he was drawn widest of all in stall 14.

David Egan, full of confidence having won the Lincoln in his new job for Amo Racing last week, was keen to get to the front and while he was briefly taken on by Blanchland, Elegant Man soon took command.

After the initial rush, Egan was able to control matters and having got a breather into his mount, visibly quickened the pace before the turn for home.

While that caught a few rivals on the hop, he then asked for a further effort well over two furlongs from home and as Penzance and Hooking, owned by footballer Antoine Griezmann, closed in, he looked vulnerable for a few strides.

It was to his credit that the 11-4 favourite saw out the trip strongly and won by a length and a half from Penzance, who ran a career-best himself.

Murray said: “That was brilliant, he’s a class horse. He came with a high reputation and from the first day we ran him in Dundalk, he was very exciting.

“We were actually planning on going to Dubai with him but he didn’t get in. We expected a big run from him today as he was doing everything well at home. He’s a very, very nice horse.

“From that wide draw, we had no option but to let him go on and it would have suited us to go on too, because he’ll stay further.

“He settled down pretty quick and I was very happy. I saw them getting a bit closer to him and then he kicked again and I said ‘we have it in the bag here’.

“He’s still very unexposed and is improving all the time.”

Elegant Man with winning connections
Elegant Man with winning connections (Richard Sellers/PA)

Considering future plans, the trainer added: “I don’t honestly know where we’ll go next, we’ll be looking for a Group Two or a Group Three and options are open to him.

“We came here with high expectations, we think he’s a very good horse and going forward, I think there’s even more improvement in him.”

Egan said: “It’s not the spring double but it’s close!

“It’s fantastic to get such a good start, Kia (Joorabchian, owner) will be over the moon. It’s all about keeping it going. These are really exciting times.

“He always breaks a little slowly and from a wide draw, with his inexperience, I didn’t want to have a mountain to climb with the way races have been unfolding on the round track.

“Races are being run at a sedate pace and I got a very easy lead. I had to commit him early enough, as I thought he might almost get outsprinted. I tried to make it a test up the straight and when they came to me, he picked up again.

“He’s a horse having his fourth start and he carried top-weight in a £200,000 handicap – and he’s won like that, he’s a very classy horse.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Fire Demon finishing speed too hot for Newcastle rivals

/in /by

Oisin Murphy got his fractions spot on as Fire Demon came with a strong late run to reel in Cross The Tracks in the BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap at Newcastle.

Owned by Juddmonte Farms, he was heavily backed into 9-4 favouritism but Andrew Balding’s charge looked to have plenty to do with two furlongs to run.

Cross The Tracks appeared to have slipped the field under Sean D Bowen, with the bottom weight holding a two-length advantage at the furlong pole.

His stride visibly began to shorten, though, just as Fire Demon was hitting top stride.

Oisin Murphy was seen to good effect on Fire Demon
Oisin Murphy was seen to good effect on Fire Demon (Richard Sellers/PA)

With nothing else making up any ground, it was left to Murphy and Balding to take the race for the second successive year, having scored with Desert Cop last season before the race was run as a handicap.

Murphy said: “I was in the perfect spot and this race suited him. He came here in good form, looked great in his coat and Andrew was very sweet on him.

“A stiff six (furlongs) probably does suit him. If the horse was on a different continent, you’d imagine he’d get two turns going a mile in America, maybe one day.

“He’s really straightforward to ride now. We ran him over seven a couple of times early on where he led and didn’t quite finish, but this sort of test suits him.

“He’s all there now as a three-year-old and it’s great that Juddmonte are good supporters of Park House Stables.”

Fivethousandtoone swoops late to beat Misty Grey
Fivethousandtoone swoops late to beat Misty Grey (Richard Sellers/PA)

Fivethousandtoone (8-1) showed a blistering turn of foot to pass almost every rival in the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap to give both trainer and jockey a double.

A one-time classy juvenile, when notably finishing second in the Mill Reef to Alkumait, he is now six but finally seems to be delivering on his potential.

Having won last time out at Kempton, he had 3lb more to shoulder in a deeper race, as well as being drawn on the supposedly unfavourable far side of the track.

It mattered not a jot, though, as Murphy had him covered up nicely before unleashing him with a devastating run with over a furlong to go.

For a six-furlong race, the field was well strung out but only Misty Grey managed to stay within hailing distance of the Balding-trained winner.

Murphy said: “He relaxed really well. It was a little bit competitive in the middle stages of the race when people were jostling for position, but I was able to ride him quietly and when I asked him to go, he picked up well.

“He’s been expertly trained. He was very good at two and then lost his way a little bit, but Andrew and the owners have been patient.

“He’s won his last two and that was a good performance, so hopefully he’ll build on it.”

On his impending trip to the Middle East to partner the Balding-trained Coltrane in Saturday’s Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan, Murphy added: “I’m taking a small plane from here down to Denham, which is near Uxbridge just off the M25. I’ll then get a lift to Heathrow and get on the 10pm flight to Dubai.

“It’s actually not hard compared to driving home to Lambourn tonight.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Tudhope proves super-sub as Prydwen sails clear in Marathon

/in /by

Benoit de la Sayette’s loss was Danny Tudhope’s gain as Prydwen ran out an easy winner of the BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap.

With former champion apprentice De La Sayette stuck in traffic on his way north, George Scott turned to Tudhope for the six-year-old and few ride Gosforth Park better than the Scotsman.

Sent off a 10-1 chance, Tudhope settled just on the quarters of the pace-making Palace Boy, before he made his move shortly after turning into the straight.

Tudhope headed to the rail and soon accounted for Palace Boy and while the hat-trick seeking Spartan Army and Vaguely Royal looked in prime position to attack, they could not get near the winner.

The race was over a furlong out as long as Prydwen saw out the trip and he ran right through the line. Duke Of Oxford made late gains to claim second, beaten three and a half lengths, with Spartan Army in third.

Prydwen always had matters under control
Prydwen always had matters under control (Richard Sellers/PA)

Tudhope said: “He gave me a lovely ride, I had a nice position early, he was happy where he was and he controlled the pace.

“I was always confident, I was always going well. I don’t know much about his form, it was a late call-up. George said the track might not play to his strengths, but he travelled sweetly and did it the hard way.”

Scott, who was at Lingfield, said: “It wasn’t poor Benoit’s fault at all, there was a crash right in front of him and he couldn’t help it, but we were delighted when Danny was available and took the ride.

“He’s an outstanding jockey and his decision at the start of the race to make up ground easily played a huge part in the way he was able to dictate the race.

“It was a really good performance. He’s been a light-framed horse, so we’ve given him a bit of time and he’s filled into his frame. He’s a bit older and wiser and that performance opens a few doors, I think he deserves a go at Royal Ascot in something like the Copper Horse Handicap.”

He went on: “A huge amount of credit has to go to ARC (Arena Racing Company) for today. They’ve put on two very good meetings, there are big crowds at both meetings, excellent prize-money and very competitive fields.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns