HIGHER POWER A PIT OF ALRIGHT
Stayer targets Plate glory
CHARLIE McCANN BRETT WILLIAMS
THERE’S something for everyone this weekend, with a derby on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Newcastle stages the “Pitmen’s Derby” (Northumberland Plate) at 3.30, where Flymetothestars has been extremely popular in our ante-post book.
He remains 9-2 from 7-1 with Stan James and Sir Mark Prescott is no stranger to pulling off a gamble.
Last year’s second, Seamour, has been strong at 5-1 and is better drawn but it’s difficult to see him bettering that placing off a 4lb higher mark.
But James Fanshawe’s Higher Power (7-1) could be the one to side with. He was second to subsequent Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange at Sandown last time and looks an improved horse since tackling staying trips.
Of the bigger-priced animals, Good Run could live up to his name under Fran Berry at 16-1.
Don’t Touch is the class horse in the Chipchase Stakes (2.25) and heads the betting accordingly at 10-3, but it will be interesting to see how Mattmu (12-1) fares on his return to the racecourse after a failed attempt at stud.
At Newmarket, Breton Rock and Home Of The Brave are 3-1 joint favourites with Stan James in the Group Three Criterion Stakes Brett Williams looks at all the weekend racing action (3.15) and the latter should be at home on the ground under James Doyle. But the best backed has been Thikriyaat, who is now into 4-1 from 11-2 and, mark my words, he will be resuming winning ways sooner rather than later. Midterm is a frustrating character but that hasn’t stopped punters backing him in the Fred Archer Stakes (2.05) and we’ve trimmed him into 5-2 from 3s. In the next Tajaanus, for our ambassador Richard Hannon, and Dance Diva should battle out the finish to the Empress Stakes (2.40). Wings Of Eagles (below) is 2-1 favourite to back up his Epsom Derby win in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh (5.20) with Ryan Moore back in the plate. But we’ve laid several hefty bets on Waldgeist, who was beaten by a short head in the French Derby last time and is 9-4 from 3s. Cracksman could be worth another crack but is weak in the market and out to 3-1 from 9-4 in what looks a very competitive renewal, despite five of the nine runners being trained by Aidan O’Brien.