Sunderland Echo

Jash finds himself in form for Newcastle

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Jash has an obvious opportunit­y to take advantage of a change of scene in the Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

Simon and Ed Crisford's lightly-raced and highly-talented four-year-old will be making his all-weather debut on Sunday, at a meeting transferre­d from Doncaster because of electrical issues in South Yorkshire.

Tyneside should do fine instead for Jash, who is favoured by the conditions and finds himself significan­tly well in with all his opponents top-rated by 6lb and upwards, yet receiving weight from two of his seven opponents.

He will be conceding race fitness to all, having been out of action since Royal Ascot last year.

That is not a major concern, though, because Jash has struck first time out in each of his campaigns to date.

He also returns after wind surgery and with a first-time tongue strap, having faded into a near nine-length sixth when last seen in the 2019 Commonweal­th Cup.

The market suggested better was expected in that Group One, and Jash has clearly had his problems in the intervenin­g 13 months.

Even a bare reproducti­on of that form would be enough to return with victory here, however - while Jash's halflength second to subsequent July Cup winner Magna Grecia in the 2018 Middle Park Stakes is the only other defeat on his five-race career record.

That level of form puts him streets ahead, as long as he is in full health again and takes to the change of surface.

The Visit attheraces.com EBF Fillies' Novice Auction Stakes is the opener on the eight-race card, and can fall to Gift List.

Karl Burke's juvenile was beaten just a diminishin­g head on debut at Ripon three weeks ago, and is therefore another with outstandin­g prospects at near level weights with her four opponents.

She is up a furlong in trip on this stiff track - which looks perfect, considerin­g how strongly she finished at her first attempt.

Balancing Act has twice run poorly here but is worth a shot at third time lucky in the

Follow At The Races On Twitter Fillies' Handicap.

Jedd O'Keeffe's three-yearold has dropped in the ratings despite three decent runs in defeat over the past six weeks.

As long as she does not turn out to have a terminal aversion to this surface, she should have every chance up slightly in trip off her current mark, with Megan Nicholls' 3lb claim for good measure.

Mutasaamy catches the eye in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap. Roger

Varian's gelding returns to the all-weather, having run with credit in a valuable Sandown handicap last time.

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