Hi all,
It’s Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle! Saturday’s big betting race is the highlight of a competitive eight-race card. ITV Racing is covering five races live from Newcastle, along with three more from Newmarket. I previewed the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate (3:10) in Wednesday’s column, so there’s no need to cover old ground today. My bets are concentrated on the Newcastle card, but the three Newmarket races are intriguing as well.
Besides the ITV race there's a terrific looking Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (3:30) at the Curragh. Emily Upjohn aims to bounce back from a poor run in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time and she faces seven rivals who include last time out winners Bluestocking and Stay Well.
Newmarket ITV Previews
Source: Racing Post
2:15 – Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes (Listed Race) – 6f
Tales Of The Heart looked like a useful juvenile prospect when making a winning racecourse debut at Kempton 24 days ago. She should continue to improve and trainer Ralph Beckett won this race in 2020 & 2022.
Teej A beat the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner at Chester two starts back and followed up in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom last time. She sets a high standard and if she’s as effective on quicker ground won’t be far away.
2:50 – JCB Fred Archer Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 4f
Kemari: Although he won this race for Charlie Appleby 12 months ago, William Buick opts for stablemate King Of Conquest. King Of Conquest posted a career-best when winning a Goodwood Listed race (1m 4f) 20 days ago, beating Aimeric by 2 ¾ lengths. Despite being 3lb worse off with Aimeric, he’s likely to be better positioned in what could be a slowly run race.
Crystal Delight: The guaranteed front runner among the six runners, this 5-year-old has looked much improved since switching to Harry Eustace, winning handicaps at Epsom and York. He’s on the right trajectory and getting 3lb from King Of Conquest means he doesn’t have much to find on Official Ratings. He warrants serious consideration.
3:25 – Plantation Stud Criterion Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
Noble Dynasty: This lightly raced 6-year-old posted a career-best effort when making all to win a Class 2 handicap on the other course 57 days ago. The runner-up, English Oak, boosted that form by winning at Royal Ascot last week. If Noble Dynasty reproduces his latest performance, he shouldn’t have an issue with the return to Group company and looks the one to beat if not inconvenienced by fast ground.
Nostrum: He was a big disappointment when finishing last of six to Charyn on his seasonal return at Sandown in April. However, he’s been gelded since and won here (1m) on quick ground last July. He could bounce back if the gelding operation has had the desired effect, and if he does, he’d go close.
Pogo: Winner of this race in 2022 and runner-up 12 months ago, he goes well on quick ground. He did best of those up with a very strong pace when a 1 ½ length 3rd of 11 to one of today’s rivals, Tiber Flow, in a Group 3 at Haydock three weeks ago. With 3lb in hand, the likely pace should see him better positioned than Tiber Flow. He can’t be ruled out back at a course and distance that suits.
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow, the Curragh hosts Irish Derby Day, one of the highlights of the Irish flat racing calendar. While there is no ITV coverage of the meeting and the Classic itself doesn't appear to be an exceptionally strong race this year, the event boasts an irresistible lineup of five Premier Handicaps on a bumper nine-race card.
For fans of summer jump racing, there’s noteworthy action at Uttoxeter and Cartmel. Although I won’t be doing a Sunday column, I do have several fancies on the Curragh card. If you want them, you can get them by joining me here.
Saturday Selection:
Newmarket
2:50 – Crystal Delight – 7/2.
Good luck with your Northumberland Plate Day bets.
John