Scenery out to end a 10-year hoodoo

IT HAS been a decade since a filly won the Stobart Rail Northumberland Plate but NATURAL

SCENERY (Newcastle, nap, 3.30) could end the hoodoo by landing the prestigious staying event on behalf of Godolphin for the second year running.

Antiquarium’s victory a year ago was further evidence the Dubai operation is happy to target valuable handicaps rather than just attack Pattern races.

Natural Scenery looks to have been aimed at today’s prize, given she has been freshened up since finishing an unfortunate sixth to stablemate Winning Story on All-Weather finals day at Lingfield.

That day she consistently ran into trouble under David Probert (right) before staying on well in the straight to be beaten six lengths.

The selection, reunited with Josie Gordon today, is unbeaten in three outings for the talented female rider.

The filly has also won both her starts at Gosforth Park so looks to have a great chance of emulating Juniper Girl’s 2007 win. Flymetothestars is another defending an unbeaten course record and he impressed when landing a minor course and distance event in May. However, seven horses have run since and none have obliged so it will be interesting to see if the Irish St Leger entry is experienced enough for a race of this ferocity. That comment cannot be applied to last year’s runner-up, the battle-hardened Seamour, who looked to have this prize won until Antiquarium swept by at the post. Trainer Brian Ellison, who celebrated his 65th birthday this week, has made no secret of the desire to win today and sixyear-old Seamour comes into the race in great order after a fine run at York behind Dal Harraild.

Seamour is respected along with the James Fanshawetrained Higher Power and Lord George, but girl power could be too difficult to resist and the vote goes to Natural Scenery.

Ellison also looks to have a strong hand in the consolation race and I’m happy to take a small chance with I AM NOT HERE (Newcastle, nb, 3.00) who could be some value to upset likely favourite London Prize.

Admittedly, the latter has compelling claims after routing a tidy field of Goodwood handicappers by eight lengths.

He is likely to be priced accordingly, whereas double-figure morning quotes about the chance of I Am Not Here look enticing, given how well he shaped in a strongly run renewal of the Cumberland Plate on Thursday.