Astra can motor home at Newcastle

My Astra can take the next step up the ladder with Group Three glory in the Jenningsbet Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes at Newcastle tomorrow.

This upwardly-mobile daughter of Lope De Vega has won three of her five starts to date, creating quite a splash when hacking up by 12 lengths in a Listed heat at Ayr last month. She had shaped well as a juvenile, winning twice in three runs with her only eclipse coming in a French Listed race while her seasonal bow at Kempton in April worked out well as the first and second, Roman Mist and Potapova, went on to fill the places in an Epsom Group Three.

Potapova reopposes on the same terms but given she only beat My Astra a neck, there is every reason to think the William Haggas-trained selection can turn around a narrow margin such as that.

Dakota Gold can defy his advancing years to take home the honours in the JenningsBet Gosforth Park Cup Handicap. Michael Dods’ charge is now an eight-year-old but he has started the campaign in fine fettle, kicking on from a disappointing first outing to win for the sixth time at York – giving weight and a beating to Makanah – before possibly feeling the effects of that run when turned out again on the Knavesmire just 11 days later.

He was not beaten too far in 13th, but the handicapper has seen fit to drop him 1lb and his mark of 101 still makes him attractively treated.

Delorean should be able to make it third time lucky in the Pertemps Network Novice Stakes. Placed on both starts to date, he still looked a bit inexperienced when a close third last time out.

Bayraq’s mark of 84 gives him something to work with as he makes his handicap debut at Doncaster.

Owen Burrows’ charge won one of his two juvenile starts last year but was up against it on his return to action in a Kempton conditions event in April.

Maljoom and Saga, who both ran excellent races in defeat at Royal Ascot last week, had the four-runner race between them, pulling 12 lengths clear of third-placed Artaois with Bayraq a further length back in fourth.

Artaois has since run a decent race in defeat behind subsequent Ascot handicap winner Latin Lover, so Bayraq’s form appears to be working out quite well and the Norfolk Bridge Works Handicap looks well within his compass.

Tamaska lines up in the Moulton Nurseries Handicap at Yarmouth and he deserves a bit more credit for his recent fifth at Thirsk than the bare result would suggest.

Beaten three lengths, Tamaska raced up with the pace before ultimately feeling those exertions in the final strides, so perhaps the effort can be upgraded.