KING’S ACE
Pirate to loot treasure on Newcastle’s big day
PLUNDER some treasure by joining the Pirate crew for the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate.
PIRATE KING (3.30) has plenty going for him at a big price in Newcastle’s big Flat race of the year.
Charlie Fellowes’ hope is a four-time all-weather winner and he was in good form throughout the early months of the year when running over 1m4f.
He was poorly positioned after a sluggish start in the Great Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom over the Derby course and distance in April.
That race was dominated by prominent racers and he just wasn’t quick enough to overcome the pace bias. The return to 2m for the first time in two-and-a-half years promises to suit and the cheekpieces he wears for the first time should help him travel in the early stages.
Have 2pts each-way at 40-1, with a few bookies paying out on seven places.
The Northumberland Vase is the consolation race for the main event.
It gives GEREMIA (2.55) a big chance to bag a decent pot.
He’s unbeaten in three allweather starts having been progressive for Marco Botti last season.
His form since joining Jim Goldie has been good. He found all sorts of traffic problems when third behind Evaluation at York last month and he’s now much better off at the weights with Keith Dalgleish’s runner.
Musselburgh was too sharp for Geremia when he again ran behind Evaluation three weeks ago and this stiffer track will suit him perfectly.
Have 2pts eachway at 9-1, with most bookies going five places and Sky Bet paying out on six.
Geordie trainer Brian Ellison was actually born on Northumberland Plate day and he has a good chance of landing Newcastle’s opening contest with MIDRARR (1.15).
The Yorkshire-based trainer is starting to hit form after a slow first half of the season. That disappointing first few months won’t have helped Midrarr after she switched from William Haggas.
She won twice on the allweather for her old trainer and she’s had a breathing operation after a disappointing display at York last month.
Have 2pts each-way at 14-1.