My Astra can Hop to it at Newcastle
MY Astra can take the next step up the ladder with Group Three glory in the Jenningsbet Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes at Newcastle this evening.
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 by 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.
Trueshan will concede upwards of 19lb to each of his 19 rivals in the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate at Newcastle tomorrow.
Sixth in last year’s renewal of the Gosforth Park showpiece, Alan King’s charge went on to win the Goodwood Cup, the Prix du Cadran and the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day to establish himself as one of the sport’s leading stayers.
The six-year-old looked as good as ever on his return to action at Nottingham in early April, and connections had hoped to bid for Gold Cup glory at Royal Ascot last week.
But just as was the case 12 months ago, ground conditions were deemed too quick for Trueshan in Berkshire and he has been re-routed to Newcastle as a result.
King chose to claim 5lb off his stable star in the 2021 Northumberland Plate by booking Rhys Clutterbuck, but this season he will be ridden by regular partner Hollie Doyle, and will carry the welter burden of 10st 8lb.