Former Talksport man Charlie McCann marks your card with eight to follow on Saturday at Newcastle, The Curragh and Newmarket. View selections below
The Northumberland Plate remains one of the highlights of the flat season, and sees Sir Mark Prescott unleash the potentially very well-handicapped Flymetothestars for the Middleham Park syndicate in this afternoon’s feature on the all-weather at Gosforth Park.
A winner of three of his four career starts, he is respected under Luke Morris however, preference lies instead with last year’s runner-up Seamour (3.30) bidding to go one better under regular partner Ben Curtis. The selection, trained by Newcastle native Brian Ellison, looked to have the race sewn-up before tiring in the closing stages. He performed well in higher company thereafter and looks well-treated from just a 4lb higher mark.
Ian William’s London Prize should likewise go close in the consolation race, the Northumberland Vase, after bolting-up last time out at Sandown but is skinny enough at 5/2 with BetVictor and I’m willing to take a chance on Keith Dalgleish’s Kensington Star (3.00) under Jason Hart.
Like the market leader, he also carries a penalty for a recent Carlisle success and despite being a beaten favourite last time out at Musselburgh lost little defeat when failing to stay two and a quarter miles last time out at Musselburgh on Scottish Sprint Cup. day From the plumb draw in stall one I expect him to be ridden prominently and reward each-way support at 5/1 with BetVictor.
Northumberland Plate prices from BetVictor
Flymetothestars 9/2
Seamour 11/2
Higher Power 8/1
Natural Scenery 8/1
Jaameh 10/1
Lord George 12/1
16/1 Bar
Each Way ¼ 1-2-3-4
Elsewhere on the card, Tom Tate’s Haddaf (5.15) should shed the maiden tag at the fourth time of asking in the closing 5f Novice Stakes under Martin Harley. The son of Dawn Approach was narrowly beaten in competitive contests at Leicester, Ascot and Sandown earlier in the campaign and was only beaten nine lengths in last week’s Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Tate yard must similarly go close with Cape Peninsular (4.05) in the competitive handicap over an extended mile and a half. The filly was an impressive winner of a Wolverhampton maiden, over this afternoon’s trip, before disappointing dropped back to a mile and a quarter last time out at Chelmsford. She should appreciate the return to a mile and a half and reward each-way support at 9/2 with BetVictor.
Wings of Eagles is the 2/1 favourite with BetVictor to complete the Derby double at the Curragh, and has Ryan Moore replacing Padraig Beggy in the plate after his recent heroics at Epsom. The colt is one of five runners from trainer Aidan O’Brien bidding to give his trainer a 12th success in Ireland’s oldest classic but I much prefer the chances of Epsom third Cracksman (5.20) reversing the form under Pat Smullen. John Gosden’s stoutly-bred son of Frankel should benefit the return to a conventional track and give his sire a first classic success as a stallion.
After winning the Gp 2 Railway Stakes 10 times between 1999-2009 trainer Aidan O’Brien’s stranglehold has relaxed thereafter, winning just one of the last seven renewals, but should better that with Murillo (4.40) under Ryan Moore. The son of Scat Daddy put in a career-best last time out at Royal Ascot, finishing third in the Coventry Stakes, and based on that effort sets a fair standard.
Conditions came right for Breton Rock (3.15) in the Gp 3 Criterion Stakes 12 months ago and, with Newmarket’s ground now officially soft after 20mm of rain midweek, he is a confident selection to land back-to-back renewals under Oisin Murphy. David Simcock’s mud-loving 7yo ran an excellent third on his seasonal debut in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and should prove too strong for the Godolphin trio of Home of the Brave, Richard Pankhurst and Jungle Cat.
For all your racing odds this weekend check out BetVictor.com – new customers can claim Bet £10 Get £30 free
Be lucky
Charlie
Compare all horse racing odds and keep up to date with our results service.
