Deauville Flyer looks gold plated at Newcastle
There are more valuable races run this weekend but few will match the passion of the John Smith´s Northumberland Plate which will be played out in front of a full house at Newcastle.
Favourites do not have a great record – one win in the last 10 renewals - in what is always a very competitive race, but there are a lot of positives about Deauville Flyer. He gets into this race at the foot of the handicap, off a mark of just 89 which includes a 5lb penalty for winning a good handicap at York two weeks ago.
He looks the type who will travel well in a race like this and is drawn six so should be able to get a good position early on.
Mamlook had been threatening to win a big race for a while and did so in the Chester Cup last month. However, he does need for things to drop his way – as they did at Chester – and although Seb Sanders is a good booking, the loss of Richard Hughes in the saddle could be another problem.
Overturn was one of the most progressive hurdlers of last season - three wins and two seconds in his last five starts – but there is a fair case for doubting whether he will actually stay two miles on the Flat.
Speed is the order for the Group Three totesport.com Chipchase Stakes over six furlongs but Himalya is guaranteed to last out having just been touched off in the Buckingham Palace Handicap, over seven furlongs, at Royal Ascot last week. And the Jeremy Noseda yard is picking up well at present with a 21% strike-rate for June.
Another horse who just missed out at the royal meeting was Red Jazz. He was beaten just a head by Rainfall in the Jersey Stakes but it proved that seven furlongs on quick ground is the right combination for him and that is just what is on offer in the Group Three Sunley Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.
In the Betfair Fred Archer Stakes, Man Of Iron has his first run for the Luca Cumani stable and should be hard to beat if he can repeat the form of his win in the Breeders' Cup Marathon, at Santa Anita last November, for Aidan O'Brien while Richard Hannon’s 27% strike-rate with his two-year-old runners this season can continue with Jollywood in the totesport.com Empress Stakes.
At the Curragh the second day of the Irish Derby meeting is highlighted by the Group One Audi Pretty Polly Stakes.
Remember When is still a maiden but was a close fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas then third in the Oaks at Epsom. The drop back to 10 furlongs looks ideal and she is the one to beat.
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