AASHEQ EYEING PLATE PRIZE
Tim Easterby may have been out of luck with his two stable stars at Royal Ascot, but he can gain compensation of sorts with Aasheq in the historic totesport.com Cumberland Plate Handicap at Carlisle tomorrow.
Vintage Brut was never at the races in the Norfolk at the big meeting, while Wells Farhh Go fared with a bit of promise in the King Edward VII Stakes, but still finished out of the places.
That just shows how hard it is to win at the meeting, although beforehand Easterby was banging in winners with regularity and can pick up where he left off.
The five-year-old Aasheq has already contributed two to his trainer’s impressive tally this term and looks up to defying top weight in a race which has cut up from the five-day stage.
Plenty of big southern yards looked set to be represented, but many of those failed to take up the option for one reason or another, which means the former Dermot Weld inmate faces an easier task than he might have done.
A winner at Chester on his second start for new connections, he defied a 6lb rise at Hamilton last time out.
He is up another six, which at first glance looks harsh, considering he only scrambled home there, but he found the nine furlongs too sharp and an extra quarter of a mile will be much more suitable.
It could be a very profitable day for Easterby and David Allan, who look to hold a big chance in the AGMA Stablemate Carlisle Bell Handicap with Vive La Difference.
Formerly with Andre Fabre, the four-year-old has really come to himself in recent weeks.
In the first three on all five outings, it all just seems to have clicked, with his recent win at Hamilton his most impressive display to date.
That came off a mark of 76 and while he carries a 6lb penalty, the odds are he will be going up more than that.
Infrastructure can open his account in the Whitsbury Manor Stud Bibury Cup Handicap at Salisbury.
Martyn Meade’s threeyear-old has had the misfortune of bumping into some nice horses in his short career to date, a fact perfectly illustrated last time out at Sandown.
He beat all bar Hughie Morrison’s Corgi, but given he went close at Royal Ascot that form has taken a huge boost.
Infrastructure is only 1lb higher for this and while he faces some in-form rivals there is certainly more to come.
Okool will have his supporters in the H S Lester Memorial Handicap after a decent run first time out.
Twice a winner last season, there are more races to be won this term and he should strip fitter for his comeback effort.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Karawaan has been knocking on the door of late and should go close once again in Kempton’s 32Red On The App Store Handicap.
Meanwhile, Agrotera could step up to Listed class at Haydock later this summer following her impressive victory at Royal Ascot.
The Mastercraftsman filly was a well-backed favourite to follow up her maiden victory at Windsor in Friday’s Sandringham Stakes and came from last to first under a copybook ride from Jamie Spencer.
Trainer Ed Walker feels his charge will benefit from a short break and sees the Listed Dick Hern Stakes at Haydock on August 11 as an ideal target.