AN ANCIENT REMEDY FOR CUP PUZZLE
ANCIENT Cross has what it takes to leave Newcastle with back- to- back victories in the Betfred Gosforth Park Cup.
The Mick Easterby- trained sprinter came from off the pace 12 months ago to win the five- furlong sprint by a length and three- quarters.
He might not have won since then, but Ancient Cross often runs well in competitive sprints – as evidenced by his fourth in last year’s Portland at Doncaster.
Things have not quite gone to plan on three starts this term, but few horses were finishing quicker than Ancient Cross at York last month.
Easterby’s inmate recovered from a tardy start to finish eighth, which can be considered an ideal prep- run for this assignment.
The ground was quite demanding in last year’s renewal, so that should not be an issue, while he is now just 2lb higher, which also looks appealing.
Those who believe in omens will be stimulated by the fact the eight- year- old again breaks from stall 11.
Peter Chapple- Hyam has found Pearl Diva a nice opportunity at Newmarket in which to hit the ground running.
The three- year- old filly brings some of the strongest form to the table for the poptelecom. co. uk EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes after having chased home Lily’s Angel in Listed company over course and distance.
She then signed off her juvenile campaign with a resounding four- and- a- half- length triumph at Folkestone.
Pearl Diva is well suited by the conditions of this sixfurlong examination and is also proven with cut in the ground.
She has enough quality to overcome a 358- day absence before possibly trying her hand in Pattern company.
Clon Brulee takes solid form into the Edmundson Electrical Handicap at Chester.
The David Barron- trained three- year- old has not had much racing, but looked especially effective stepped up to a mile and a quarter at Haydock last time.
Graham Gibbons’ mount skipped clear two furlongs out on his handicap debut before staying on earnestly for a length- and- a- quarter verdict over useful yardstick Brockwell.
Clon Brulee has gone up 6lb for his reappearance, but he looked to have a lot left in the locker on Merseyside.
Slip Sliding Away is perhaps one of the more interesting sorts on a difficult card at Folkestone.
Despite having finished lame at Windsor on his last start in 2011, Peter Hedger’s sprinter looked rejuvenated at Ascot on his return in May.
The five- year- old son of Whipper showed pleasing dash late on before only being worried out of the argument by Moretta Blanche, who was a head up at the line.
He might have even won that day had he not missed the break, but his underrated handler clearly has him back in the game.
Versatile in terms of ground, it would be a shade disappointing if Slip Sliding Away cannot kick on in the FGS Plant Folkestone Hammer Handicap – even though he has gone up 3lb.
The beautifully- bred Desert Sunrise holds obvious claims in the CWU Legal Services E B F Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster.
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt finished a fine second on his debut behind Lovely Pass, who upheld the form when third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.
Spruzzo has admittedly had a rather chequered career, but Musselburgh’s Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers Handicap might be a good time to catch him.
The Chris Fairhurst- trained six- year- old is now on a 1lb lower mark than when he sprang a 100- 1 shock at Pontefract last April, and served quiet notice of his well- being at Ripon last time.