Trooperbisdee has been tipped to win the Northumberland Plate (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)
At The Races
1 2:35 PM – JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap
Despite disappointing when seeking to land a hat-trick over 6f at Newbury last time, WILTSHIRE still makes plenty of appeal for the William Haggas team. This son of Aclaim runs off just 2lb higher than his success at Newbury on his penultimate start and this return to the all weather should suit, given he’s got an unbeaten record (2-2) on artificial surfaces. Rizg is feared most after competing in much stronger contests than this of late and he’s likely to be seen to better effect in handicap company, while Almarada Prince completes the shortlist.
Top Tip: WILTSHIRE (5)
Watch out for: RIZG (2)
2 3:04 PM – JenningsBet Nun Street Newcastle Open Now Chipchase Stakes (Group 3)
Kinross is clear of these on official ratings and he was beaten just a neck in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes when last seen in October, but that 252-day break could leave him vulnerable to some race-fit rivals. Preference is for MONTASSIB, who is fancied to return to form after failing to make an impression in the Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Stakes last time. William Haggas has saddled the last two winners of this contest and this son of Exceed And Excel can add to that record. Ramazan heads the remainder.
Top Tip: MONTASSIB (5)
Watch out for: KINROSS (4)
3 3:35 PM – JenningsBet Festival Northumberland Vase Handicap (Consolation Race For The Northumberland Plate)
MARBUZET has been running consistently well of late and this looks a good opportunity to go close off a mark that appears exploitable. Tim Easterby’s charge has been eased 1lb by the handicapper after being beaten just under three lengths when fourth over 1m6f at Thirsk last time and that could work the oracle today. The hat-trick seeking Alphonse Le Grande is feared most after a ready success in the Chester Plate last month but an 8lb hike may be difficult to defy, while Faylaq shouldn’t be far away.
Top Tip: MARBUZET (13)
Watch out for: BRINGBACKMEMORIES (4)
4 4:10 PM – JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Fresh from landing the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting last week, Sir Mark Prescott aims to bag another big staying handicap with the hugely progressive TROOPER BISDEE. Typical of how the yard can get horses to continue their improvement up the handicapping ranks, the four-year-old made the cut when making it four wins from his last five starts at Pontefract on Sunday, thus giving him the 5lb penalty required to get in the line-up. The manner of that victory also suggested he would be rated a good deal higher if the handicapper had a chance to reassess him and the son of Australia commands the utmost respect. Zoffee is 4lb higher than his Chester Cup success and entitled to be in the mix, but it would be no surprise if Duke Of Oxford, who ran moderately on that occasion, were able to reverse form, especially back on the all-weather. Local trainer Brian Ellison has always wanted to win this contest and the North Yorkshire handler is represented by top-weight Tashkhan, who isn’t handicapped out of things based on his Cesarewitch third, and Onesmoothoperator.
Top Tip: TROOPER BISDEE (14)
Watch out for: DUKE OF OXFORD (10)
5 3:40 PM – Pertemps Network Handicap
LOCAL HERO stepped forward from his return to action when making a successful handicap debut at Kempton earlier in the month. Hollie Doyle takes over in the saddle for the first time and she should get a good tune out of Richard Hannon’s colt, who remains open to improvement on just his fifth career start. Giant wasn’t at his best when sixth at Kempton last month and is entitled to bounce back to form, while the unexposed United Approach is of interest in an event which contains plenty of frontrunners on paper.
Top Tip: LOCAL HERO (12)
Watch out for: GIANT (11)
6 4:15 PM – Winners Wear Skopes Menswear EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)
INVITED has achieved a decent level of form on both starts to date and the drop to 5f may see him in a better light after his runner-up display at Newmarket last Saturday. Ardennes has to give 5lb and upwards away following his Salisbury win earlier in the month but he has to be high on the shortlist. Others to consider include Dutch Finale and Death Or Glory.
Top Tip: INVITED (7)
Watch out for: ARDENNES (1)
7 5:50 PM – Pertemps Handicap
This can go the way of FORCEFUL SPEED, who returned from a 62-day break to score comfortably over 1m4f at Pontefract last Sunday. Runner-up on his only previous attempt over this C&D, George Boughey’s charge should be able to overcome a 5lb penalty and he gets the vote ahead of City Streak, who had been in excellent form prior to a disappointing effort at Epsom last month. A taking winner over C&D on his first start for new connections, Sea Legend must enter calculations off a 6lb higher mark, along with the capable Lord Protector.
Top Tip: FORCEFUL SPEED (3)
Watch out for: SEA LEGEND (6)
8 6:25 PM – Pertemps Education Network Handicap
The Jim Goldie stable has hit a fine vein of form of late and this looks like a perfect opportunity for his SOOWAIH to get back to winning ways, following a slightly unlucky runner-up effort over C&D last month when squeezed for room at the start. Shifter has yet to prove herself over this far but she has won two of her last three starts, while Baltic arrives on a four-timer. Natzor and Squeezebox are players based on the pick of their form as well.
Top Tip: SOOWAIH (3)
Watch out for: SHIFTER (11)
