Sir Chauvelin 16/1 @ Newcastle

Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Saturday; Sir Chauvelin in the Newcastle 15:40. Compare odds and bet.

It’s Northumberland Plate day at Newcastle and, though the race is run on the new all-weather track for the first time, it looks as competitive as ever.

Last year’s beaten favourite Seamour remains capable of landing a prize such as this, but I was a shade disappointed with him at York on his return. If he has come on for that, then he is more than capable of going very close, having run a blinder from the widest draw of all last year.

Top-weight Gang Warfare travelled extremely well in the Chester Cup last time and would have been right towards the top of my list for this, but for being handed a nightmare draw in stall 19. The Medicean gelding had run up a four-timer on the all-weather before that and, given that he met trouble in running at a crucial stage last time, he remains very much of interest.

The draw is off-putting, however, so instead I prefer to back Sir Chauvelin (3:40) in the consolation race, the Northumberland Vase.

Jim Goldie’s four-year-old won twice at Hamilton early on in the season, latterly beating Fabricate who went on to run well at Royal Ascot last week, before staying on for third at Chester last time. That was a slowly run race and he did well to get as close as he did after being held up.

Granted a stronger gallop and today’s longer trip, the Authorized gelding looks capable of going well under Paul Mulrennan, who was aboard for that Braveheart Handicap success the time before last.

Nicky Henderson’s Cardinal Walter was an eye-catcher in fourth at York last month and is another to bear in mind here, though he also fills the 19 box, so preference is for Sir Chauvelin.

Saturday’s selection:
3:40 Newcastle Sir Chauvelin 16/1 Skybet

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