Mullins to strike with Stratum

There are not too many high profile staying handicaps, Flat or jump, that have eluded Willie Mullins and Ireland’s champion jump trainer has a chance to fill in one of the blanks when he sends Stratum to Newcastle for the Betfair Exchange Northumberland Plate today.

The six-year-old’s task was made easier yesterday with the withdrawal of last year’s winner Withhold after a “dirty” scope. After finishing third in the Ascot Stakes last year Stratum ran away with the JLT Cup at Newbury and a similar effort today would see him go close.

He was sent off favourite for the Ebor but got quite far back and had no luck in running up the straight before finishing 12th. His warm-up for this was over hurdles and a win at Ballinrobe will have set him up nicely for today’s race.

Gibbs Hill, the subject of a plunge this week, has not run for 724 days so must have been catching pigeons in Newmarket but it would be quite a feat of training were Roger Varian to win a competitive handicap like this after so long out.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is the big race in Ireland today and Anthony Van Dyck attempts to add his home version to the Investec Derby he won at Epsom. However, he faces a stiff challenge from stable companion Broome and Kevin Prendergast’s Madhmoon, who chased him home at Epsom.

Last night the Juddmonte Pretty Polly Stakes, the first opportunity for fillies of the Classic generation to take on their elders, was won by the three-year-old Iridessa, who travelled well before pouncing on Magic Wand and drawing clear to win by 2¼ lengths.