Hexham – 15th June 2013

Despite the presence of the leading trio of National Hunt jockeys in England – Tony McCoy, Richard Johnson and Jason Maguire – it was Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania who stole the show at Hexham with a treble on the eight race card.

Mania landed the opener aboard Indigo Rock on his first ride for local trainer Michael Smith, and went onto complete the treble in the two divisions of the 3m Handicap Hurdle for Dianne Sayer aboard Solis and Auberge. Indigo Rock landed what on paper appeared to be a decent looking 3m Novices Hurdle staying on well to see off Irish raider Soweheard and recent course winner Oscar Tanner. Whilst the winner showed considerable improvement today in reversing the placings with recent Wetherby conqueror Loose Performer on seven pounds better terms, Loose Performer put in a very laboured effort. Soweheard appeared to run in snatches, but handled the step upto three miles well. Given his form in Irish points he looks a chasing prospect for next year. However, I’d like to see a little more of him on track, because he looked a shade quirky in the paddock, but one must make some allowances for the warm day and sizeable crowd in attendance. Oscar Tanner handled both the step up in trip and grade well (2m4f Maiden Hurdle winner) and ran creditably to finish a staying on third. Given he’s only a five year old making just a second start over hurdles for his new yard, this goes down as a very good effort. Perhaps Loose Performer has had enough for now and needs a Summer break, but looking at David O’Meara’s horse physically, he looks the type to make a more than fair chaser.

Solis was all the rage in the market ahead of Division One of the 3m Handicap Hurdle and the fast ground loving ten year old made no mistake in seeing off Karen Tutty’s mare Saddlers Mot. Solis had shown good form at this sort of trip in the past, most notably when splitting fair yard sticks Corky Dancer and Grey Command here last month. Doubtless he’ll be kept on the go when the ground remains fast. Similar comments apply to the mare Saddlers Mot, who continues to improve with each and every run. She travelled well throughout, and lost little in defeat. Mania landed the treble (a double for Cumbria based Dianne Sayer) with a smooth success aboard Auberge in Division Two of this three mile contest. The 9yo made light of a whopping 13lb penalty earned for seeing off the aforementioned Corky Dancer here at the previous meeting. The mare again travelled with supreme ease, taking it up a shade earlier than last time out with a fine leap at the third last, and despite being kept upto her work from the last hurdle always looked likely to prevail. Now a three time career winner from forty starts, the mare will have to defy a probably similar draconian rise to score again. On the plus side, she’s thriving for decent ground and showing the benefit of a good break between February and June.

Happy Connections – Auberge

Richard Johnson made no mistake on his sole mount on the card with a straightforward success aboard Tim Vaughan’s Vale of Glamorgan raider Great Oak. This 7yo mare will have gained plenty of confidence from today’s exercise gallop, winning on just her second start for a stable whose relatively infrequent runners invariably perform with great credit at Hexham. The 4yo filly Just Fabulous took a fierce hold for most of the early part of the race under Barry Keniry, and will need to learn to settle to be competitive going forward, whilst the debutant More Like Mum looked very hard work both in the parade for her handler and on track (depositing Fearghal Davis twice) prior to being withdrawn.

Although the Champion jockey AP McCoy departed empty handed after three rides, his nearest jockeys Championship pursuer Jason Maguire notched another winner in the concluding bumper aboard Gordon Elliott’s Definite Row. Allowed to dictate from the front off a funereal pace, this was a fine ride from Maguire. Quickening up out of the dip aboard clearly the best horse in the race, he soon put the others to the sword and the relaxed looking 4yo filly bounced back after a shade disappointing effort last time at Sligo. Reportedly, she’s a filly who likes a fast surface, so it was no surprise to see the market confidence rewarded. Malcolm Jefferson’s filly Retrieve The Stick was best of the rest (although well beaten). The first off the bridle as the pace quickened, the race clearly wasn’t run to suit her, and she may have benefitted by being allowed to stride on early doors. However, in all honesty, she’d probably not have troubled the winner on this evidence. By Revoque, she may also appreciate some juice in the ground. Although this bumper probably lacked strength in depth, many of the horses looked decent sorts physically on paddock inspection (including Coccinelle) who has now shown precious little in two quick NHF runs.

Granaruid landed the 2m4f Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle for Alison Hamilton and Conor Shoemark, staying on up the hill to pass both Weybridge Lad and Born to Shine who had looked set to fight out the finish. The well backed latter, found little after appearing by far the most likely winner and was held when taking a heavy fall at the last. Dropped back in trip, and although no star, the 5yo should be much more competitive in similar grade.

The veteran Chernik found the trip of 2m4f not to his liking, despite being sent off favourite in a weak looking Handicap Chase. However, the race produced the finish of the day with Martin Todhunter’s Lucy Alexander ridden Presenting Junior nailing the luckless Attycran on the line. Despite Alexander rightly earning the plaudits for her well timed challenge, the ride of Badger McAlister on Attycran was equally worthy of mention. Given every chance to gain a well earned first success, the likeable 23 race maiden deserves to lose this tag sooner rather than later. A victim of his own consistency, Attycran remains everything that is wrong with the handicapping of horses. Given absolutely no respite from the assessor despite a clear inability to win from his current mark, he continues to wear his heart on his sleeve to sadly no avail. As a punter, I find it increasingly frustrating to see a horse inching up the handicap for running consistently well for not winning. Hopefully connections will be rewarded eventually when the handicapper relents.

Last word on the day must be for the most impressive winner on the card – Lucinda Russell’s Castlelawn. A year to the day since the late and much missed Campbell Gillies rode his last winner aboard Fog Patches, it was apt that his stable and good friend Peter Buchanan should have a winner. Absorbing a ten pound penalty with disdain, this front running, generally fluent jumping 6yo made all to score with authority despite a stopping weight of 11st 13lbs. Given the fact the race looked to contain plenty of other front running types this was a very taking performance, and Castlelawn is clearly a horse to follow; being another to have benefitted from a mid season break and decent ground. He looks tailor made to plunder a good prize at Perth in the weeks ahead.

Another good afternoon of sport at Hexham, with the sizeable crowd broadly on top in the punting stakes with a succession of well supported winners. The Northumberland venue wraps up for the Summer after its popular Ladies Day next Sunday (23rd June). After a busy April, May and June, this will give the track some recovery time, but full marks must go out to James Armstrong and his grounds team for producing an excellent ‘safe’ racing surface given what appeared to be a tricky weather forecast in the 24 hours prior to racing. Watering on the Friday was proven to be 100% the correct decision given the warm temperatures and drying Saturday wind. Doubtless, the course will be presented in a similar maticulous fashion next weekend.

Future Plans – Sports Journalism & Horse Racing Analysis

For the past 18 months, I’ve been producing regular horseracing previews, reviews and analysis through both my blog (http://markrowntree07.wordpress.com)and also via contributions to other online platforms including (http://www.sportismadeforbetting.com) and (http://www.horseracingtavern.com) However, as these various websites hopefully demonstrate, I’ve been a keen follower of the sport for many more years, building up a detailed knowledge and understanding of this complex industry.

With this work now taking up more of my time, I’ve opted to be bold, and attempt to change the direction of my professional career. In the next few months (July/Aug 2013), I will be leaving both full time employment, and my career as a data analyst and researcher in order to undertake an MA in Sports Journalism (commencing Sept 2013). The primary aim of undertaking these studies will be to provide myself with a platform (in the shape of a recognised qualification, with greater hands on experience) which will aid with the transition of my professional career. During this period, I will hopefully be able to pursue any opportunities within this area alongside my studies should they arise. If you would like to get in touch to discuss any such potential opportunities, please contact me in the first instance via either:

Twitter:
@uptheirons007

Blog: http://markrowntree07.wordpress.com

In the interim, I hope that you continue to enjoy my posts, and I will aim to produce further high quality content in the months ahead. Should you have any other suggestions with regards to what you would like to see appearing via these platforms, do let me know, and I’ll aim to provide. Finally, I’d like to give thanks to the considerable number of individuals and organisations that have continually promoted my online work over the past 18 months, ensuring that my articles reach as wide an audience as possible. This generosity is appreciated, and I’m happy to reciprocate (with relevant links etc) to my site where appropriate.

Hexham (Eve) – 4th June 2013

A glorious Summer Evening in Northumberland, and quite simply no place better to be than Britain’s most picturesque racecourse – Hexham.

Hexham Racecourse

In many ways, it was a case of Ladies Day arriving a few weeks early at Hexham with either female trainers or jockeys being successful in all six races. Kinross based Lucinda Russell landed three races on the card courtesy of Bobble Hat Bob, Castlelawn and Morning Time. Bobble Hat Bob landed the opener, a strong looking June 2m7f Novices Chase from stable companion Kris Cross. A winner a few weeks back at Kelso, the gelding stayed on strongly up the hill and challenged Kris Cross at the last to bound clear. Both decent ground and cheek pieces have proven the key to this eight year old. Kris Cross jumped much better today than at Perth, and this winning Pointer, Hurdler and NHF flat racer will find another opportunity in the weeks ahead. Although weakening to finish fourth, favourite Balding Banker probably ran to the level he’d achieved when scoring in a similar event here last month, possibly only being outstayed at this trip by horses with greater stamina than those he faced last time. Top rated Howizee ran adequately to finish third on his chase debut, but never really threatened to land a telling blow during the race.

Russell and Buchanan doubled up in the 2m Handicap Chase with the well supported Castlelawn. A winning 6yo pointer, he looked the horse with most potential for improvement in a race that lacked strength in depth, and duly registered victory after being prominent throughout. Castlelawn likes to front run, and was able to dictate the pace in this race under a shrewd ride from Buchanan, so time will tell the strength of this form. However, fresh from a short break, on decent Summer ground Castlelawn should remain competitive throughout June and July.

The Russell treble came courtesy of Morning Time in the concluding 2m Handicap Hurdle. Although a maiden from 20 starts prior to tonight, the 7yo had shown glimpses of promise on more than one occasion, and under a fine hold up ride by Rachel McDonald, Morning Time stayed on strongly to deny the market principals, the front running Brother Scott and The Ferick. In landing her first career success under rules, Rachel McDonald looked composed and confident in the saddle. Rachel (like Peter Buchanan) is another jockey on the books of local jockeys agent Paul Brierley. Although last of ten, Hobsons Bay performed with merit on only a second start for Sheena Walton. Prominent to two out, the ex Howard Johnson gelding folded quickly. However, a real strong looking type, and carrying plenty condition, he could spring a surprise somewhere at double figure odds, with a combination of further conditioning and a plummeting handicap mark. Most will have given up on Hobsons Bay by now, and maybe I’m losing the plot, but time will tell.

The undoubted female equivalent to Tony McCoy, Lucy Alexander was back to more familiar surroundings after taking plenty of rides on the Flat lately for the sole mount in the Book Now For Ladies Day Maiden Hurdle over 2m4f. Aboard Martin Todhunter’s Oscar Tanner, she registered another NH success seeing off the Brian Ellison pair of Arisda and Twill Stand To Us. This half brother to County Hurdle winner Ted Veale should continue to improve in his next few starts. Tonight’s race was the 5yos first start over hurdles, and his first for current connections, having previously been with a trainer more renowned for Flat horses – Jo Hughes. Outsider Arisda, exceeded expectations in finishing second on only her fourth career start. She’s a mare worth a look at this level again next time given her astute connections.

Sue Smith’s Rattlin took her Hexham record to two wins from three starts under top weight in the Howard Cooper Memorial Mares Handicap Hurdle over a trip of 2m4f. Ridden by Johnny England, she followed up a recent Hexham Novice Hurdle success for stable jockey Ryan Mania. Having shown battling qualities on that occasion to see off Azerodegree from only 10st 5lbs, this effort was a further step forward, and no mean feat from a weight 11st 7lbs in handicap company. Favourite Groovy Dancer was a major disappointment and lost a prominent position on the downhill run, but stayed on again past beaten horses on the run in. She remains a lightly race mare this year, and perhaps found things happening a shade too quick for her tonight, but is possibly worth another chance, with her stables horses now coming good after a difficult season.

Hexham – Rattlin Two from Three

Dianne Sayer’s Auberge mastered favourite Corky Dancer on the uphill run to land the 3m Handicap Hurdle in the middle of the card. Auberge showed vastly improved form in the process, but the combination of a falling handicap mark, and a relatively weak looking contest brought about the revival. Corky Dancer attempted to follow up a recent course success from the front and despite being pushed along for much of the final three quarters of a mile conquered all bar the winner.

Hexham race twice more before a Summer break, on Saturday 15th June and for Ladies Day on Sunday 23rd June.

Newcastle (Eve) – 1st June 2013

An evening meeting at Newcastle on Epsom Derby Day, their final fixture before the Northumberland Plate Festival in late June.

The 1m2f Maiden looked the most interesting race on the card, with Godolphin and Saeed Bin Suroor represented by Inaad, and Hamdan Al Maktoum and Roger Varian by the solid looking favourite Qawaafy. However, it was the four year old Carthaginian, conceeding lumps of weight to the younger horses that had failed to read the script and scored with plenty in hand. Previously having the sole run for Ed Dunlop as a three year old, he’d shown only a glimmer of promise for new connections at Hamilton last month. However, he took a massive step forward tonight to land the prize for Richard Fahey, Sir Robert Ogden and stand in pilot Barry McHugh. Without taking anything away from the winner, both Inaad and Qawaafy were considerable disappointments. The former was held up and never threatened the leaders, merely staying on past beaten horses to finish third, whilst Qawaafy travelled well throughout and despite looking all over the winner at the two furlong pole, could muster no change of gear whatsoever, weakening to finish fourth. Given her previous two efforts and beautiful breeding, I’d be prepared to say this wasn’t Qawaafy’s true running and maybe something was ultimately amiss. However, I didn’t like what I saw with regards to Inaad and would be giving him a wide berth going forward.

Secret Applause was a good winner of the opening two year old Maiden Auction over 6f for Michael Dods. Despite carrying 3lbs overweight, Paul Mulrennan steered the once raced filly to a comfortable victory, following up stablemate Silent Footsteps victory in the race in 2012. Favourite Classy Lassy started at odds of 8/11, which seemed short enough given she’d only finished two lengths in front of debutant Secret Applause on her second run at Thirsk. Whilst throwing down the challenge to the winner (wide apart) inside the final furlong she folded to finish sixth. The horses to take from a potentially decent looking bunch were Darling Boyz (John Quinn – very green in the prelims), Bar Shy (Tim Easterby – a strong looking relaxed filly) who was flat footed at the two furlong pole yet finished on the heels of the leading bunch, and the fourth placed Yorkshire Relish (Kevin Ryan). Yorkshire Relish, owned by former two year old sprint king Jack Berry, looked leggy, green and keen in the paddock, so performed with immense credit to finish fourth on debut. This was a decent contest, and a race to follow closely in the weeks ahead.

Mick Easterby landed a well supported double on the card (and combined with a winner at Lingfield), connections appeared somewhat pleased with their nights work. Day of the Eagle (Graham Gibbons) started the ball rolling, seeing off Pelmanism and Ron Barr’s outsider Mitchum in the 7f Handicap. Aetna, landed the double over the flying five furlongs at 8.40, providing Paul Mulrennan with a double on the card. Aetna had been campaigned over further (upto 1m) in two fair contests after bolting up at Doncaster on the opening day of the season. The filly appeared stamina laden tonight kicking in the turbo well inside the last to run out a decisive winner from Ollie Pears Hit The Lights. Based upon this display, it’s easy to see why Mick Easterby was waxing lyrical about the 3yo after her Doncaster success. Hit The Lights continues to improve and the Handicapper maybe hasn’t her full measure yet, despite the rise for her two recent successes, and she boxed on well for second place, simply bumping into a progressive horse. Different was the disappointment of the race for Bryan Smart. This grand looking Chestnut filly was prominent, but folded tamely inside the final furlong when the pressure was applied. Having seen her on debut last year at Thirsk, she remains a horse that I like in the flesh, and given her relative lack of experience, maybe with hindsight she faced a tough task tonight – some good judges had indicated this to be the case pre race. Nevertheless, I remain keen to see which way she goes in the weeks and months ahead.

Arc Light followed up a recent C&D success under Duran Fentiman in a rough 1m2f Handicap. Tim Easterby’s 5yo mowed down the front running Border Bandit well inside the final furlong to continue with his relatively late developing career progression. Border Bandit (who appeared luckless when well fancied here in April), seemed set to score when kicking for home about a furlong and a half out, but just failed to see out the trip, hanging and badly hampering stablemate Sinatramania, who lost a seemingly winning chance in the process. Border Bandit’s jockey Andrew Mullen picked up a three day ban, and the five year old now becomes a fourteen race maiden. However, from a very low mark (53), there has to be scope for losing the Maiden tag based upon his last two efforts.

Enchanted Garden landed the two mile contest for Malcolm Jefferson, Doreen Davenport and Freddy Tylicki. The 5yo Sedgefield bumper winner had raced three times on the level (in six weeks) at shorter trips and was allocated a basement handicap mark of 60 for tonight’s contest. The step upto two mile suited the Sulamani gelding to the ground and he powered away in the manner of a horse (like last years victor Bilidn) who could run up a sequence. Having said that, this wasn’t the strongest event of its type, with other course winners, the likes of Hi Dancer and Jeu De Roseau approaching the veteran stage of their careers. The Stewards inquired into the improvement of the winner, and forwarded connections explanations to Shaftesbury Avenue. They also ordered Enchanted Garden to be routinely tested.

The finale, run over the straight mile was landed by George Moore’s recent course winner Never Forever, who clung on under PJ McDonald by a nose for a second career success from the fast finishing Music Festival.

Catterick – 31st May 2013

A mixed day for David Allan at Catterick Bridge, with a double on the card courtesy of Lost In Paris and Hawk High, but also incurring a 10 day suspension later in the afternoon.

The feature race of the day, the Pin Point Recruitment Handicap was taken by the thoroughly reliable 5yo mare Meandmyshadow. A good second last week at Haydock, she stole first run on David Barron’s Free Spin from over a furlong out to last home for a ninth career success. Free Spin showed renewed vigour and well supported in the market was clearly expected to have benefitted from a recent gelding operation. Although with only one success to his name (on the AW at Dundalk), the 4yo remains a horse to keep an eye on in the weeks ahead, despite an unrelenting handicap mark of 82. Unfortunately for David Allan, he was adjudged to have dropped his hands aboard Mappin Time and was caught on the post for third place by Solar Spirit.

Allan had doubled up earlier on the card for his boss Tim Easterby. The speedy Lost In Paris made light of top weight in the 5f Handicap to repel all comers and build upon a solid C&D second placing here just last week. Officially 4lb well in today, he was denied his usual customary front running berth by both Modern Lady and Monnoyer but was always handy and produced to lead at the two furlong pole. He stayed on well from that point to repel the challenge of Mercers Row; a horse who is shaping as coming to hand. However, Ypres was the horse to take from the race. In rear early, he made progress through the field under Raul Da Silva, staying on well without threatening the leading pair. This was an excellent reappearance from Jason Ward’s 4yo and he looks handily treated going forward from a mark of just 65. With form at Beverley in the past, particularly in July, he’s one to watch on the much stiffer Westwood.

Hawk High provided Allan with the second leg of the double in the 1m4f Maiden grabbing the front running Dalgig close home. Although probably a relatively moderate maiden, Hawk High was clearly well suited by both the step up in trip and recent gelding operation. Dalgig, a rare Lambourn raider to Catterick for Jamie Osborne, did little wrong, only the fact that he became a shade unbalanced at the furlong pole and clearly handled todays trip. Although looking a shade costly now at £165,000 Guineas, he may be suited by a drop to 1m2f on the Polytrack at Lingfield, and will undoubtedly lose his maiden tag.

Race Hunter was clearly the star performer on the card. The unraced David Barron trained 2yo filly looked a strong, scopey easy going sort pre race. On the course, the Qatar Racing Limited filly was produced to lead at the furlong pole quickly conquering front runner Lord Clyde, running on strongly to score readily. She looks the type to handle a step up in grade without turning a hair and has already enhanced her paddocks value. Brocklesby third Lord Cylde handled this better ground well today, and had seemingly benefitted from his 70 day break. His trainer had previously suggested this would help him immediately after the Brocklesby. Nevertheless, the fact that he was the only colt in a field with five fillies clearly wasn’t lost on Lord Clyde, and he had looked very colty in the paddock. Time will tell he faced a stiff task here conceeding 5lbs to a potentially smart filly, despite having the benefit of racecourse experience.

Donald McCain is no stranger to the Catterick winners enclosure, although less so on the Flat, but it was his Underwritten that landed the seller, making all at a sound pace under Graham Lee. The visored gelding found plenty for pressure from the furlong pole and despite being marginally tightened up by the runner up Spiekeroog, stayed on best to score. Although this was a weak seller, now that he’s finally broken the maiden tag, he can probably be competitive at a similar level.

Lee landed a double on the card in the 6f handicap at 4.35 aboard James Turner’s 7yo mare Needy McCredie. Despite having only been successful at Carlisle (twice) in the past, she showed the benefit of having being campaigned over further recently, staying on deep inside the last to win going away by three quarters of a length from Lady Kildare. Dartrix (pictured) was a bitter disappointment, never getting competitive in his mission to score for the third time in four starts. Todays trip of 6f wasn’t the problem for Dartirx. Maybe he’s paying the price for a rise in the Handicap for his Hamilton and Newcastle successes, but it’s equally plausible he doesn’t like Catterick having underperformed here in the past (albeit from a poor draw).

Divisions 1 & 2 of the 7f Handicap that concluded an eight race card were taken by Newmarket raider Macaabra (James Tate) and Middleham runner Just Paul (Phil Kirby). Macaabra was landing her second success over this trip from just two starts at Catterick. Lightly raced with only five career starts to date this 3yo filly looked the better long term prospect of the divided race winners.

The next meeting at Catterick is on Saturday 8th June, and longer term if you’re looking for racing at Yorkshire in July, Catterick race on each and every Wednesday throughout the month.

Catterick Bridge – The Course With Character

The Northumberland Plate – A North East Institution

Quite simply, The Plate isn’t just a horse race to the fine folk of the North East, it’s an institution. For generations, traditionally the last Saturday in June sees thousands of racegoers of all ages making the annual pilgrimage along the Great North Road out of the City towards High Gosforth Park with one question in mind – who will win The Plate? This anticipation is not the result of subtle yet highly persuasive marketing, which has transformed the ailing fortunes of other feature race days at Newcastle, but an anticipation that is steeped deep in history and the traditional industrial heritage that forms the fabric of the North East and it’s people.

First run in 1833 on the expanses of the Town Moor – pastures which remarkably adjoin the high rise developments of a now bustling City Centre – the natural amphitheatre for the old course is still visible and remains clearly marked as a racecourse on any Ordnance Survey map of Newcastle. In yesteryear, Plate week, or the Pitmen’s Derby as the race is known to some signified a week of holidays for the local miners and their families – holidays being the sole saving grace for those risking their lives on a daily basis to earn a meagre existence from a life spent solely underground. This in part also explains the emergence of the competing attraction of The Hoppings – an annual ten day funfair held on the very same aforementioned Town Moor – that historically has rolled into Newcastle in late June since 1882. The standing joke in the region being that The Hoppings brings with it the unseasonal torrential Summer rain that sees the going at Gosforth Park quickly become very testing. So much so, after the destruction and devastation caused by the Hoppings to the Town Moor in June 2012, the Freeman of the City in conjunction with the City Council have cancelled the 2013 event in order to allow the land to fully recover. Fortunately for us racing fans, there is no fallow period at Gosforth Park, and Newcastle’s hardworking Clerk of the Course James Armstrong is afforded no such luxury. Furthermore, any talk of a move to Sunderland for The Plate (as has been controversially mooted for The Hoppings) is as likely as the worshipped eleven men wearing Black and White stripes up the Great North Road at St James Park landing an elusive trophy sometime within the next decade.

Although The Plate is no longer run on the Town Moor (switched to Gosforth Park in 1882), or on a Wednesday (switched to a Saturday in 1952), the race continues to celebrate the rich seams of the past. Through it’s long term sponsorship with Newcastle Breweries (and its subsidiaries), it’s link with the alcoholic drinks industry seems somewhat suitable and appropriate given the rather guilty pleasures of those hard working and rugged miners. Work hard, play harder never a more suitable motto for a squad of dedicated an skilled men with an unwavering allegiance to their respective local Working Men’s Social Clubs. Also, the fact that the widely recognised and much respected retired local racing correspondent Doug Moscrop adopted the writing name of Underhand for the Newcastle Journal and Evening Chronicle for decades further serves to reinforce the importance of The Plate to those in the region. Underhand being the sole three time winner of The Plate in successive years between 1857 and 1859. Whilst referring to past winners, and if you’re planning on making a visit to Newcastle Racecourse in the near future, take a good long lingering look around your surroundings as you consume your pre race pint of John Smith’s, or indeed simply focus upon many of the race names themselves during Plate week. The past is every bit as important as the present to those associated with the racecourse, and some of the most illustrious and significant names on the Plate roll of honour are displayed below.

Queens Birthday (1891)
Seaton Delaval (1893)
Border Minstrel (1927)
Union Jack (1938)
Attivo (1974)
Tug of War (1977 & 1978)
Windsor Castle (1997)
Archduke Ferdinand (2001)
Sergeant Cecil (2005)

Whilst The Plate evokes so many memories for each and every racegoer, as a native to the North East, and thunderstorms aside, my own personal memories of The Plate are invariably punting memories. The success of Ile De Re (2012) as fresh in the memory as Bay of Islands (2000). However, flushed with success, there’s always a tale of woe – step forward James Fanshawe’s Travelmate, a horse whom I’d backed ante post all week in the lead upto the feature race only to be narrowly denied by Martin Pipe’s Far Cry. So much so, to this day, and having studied the Official Photo intently on numerous occasions, I still maintain he wasn’t beaten. Take a look at the epic finish to the 1999 running of The Northumberland Plate here. Alas, moving onto 2013 and despite the broad fabric of the North East ever evolving at a furious gallop, The Plate continues onwards and upwards to hopefully another 180 years of history and heritage.

The Northumberland Plate Festival for 2013 takes place between Thursday 27th and Saturday 29th June.

Tattersalls Musidora Stakes Preview – York 15th May 2013

A recognised trial for the Investec Oaks, Wednesday’s Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York has attracted a compact field of only six runners, despite a healthy prize fund of £75,000. The Ballymacoll Stud owned and Sir Michael Stoute trained Liber Nauticus will undoubtedly head the market. This Oaks, Irish Oaks and Ribblesdale entrant has only been seen once on a race course to date, when making a winning debut in an Maiden Fillies event over eight furlongs at Goodwood in September 2012 on ground described as Good. Despite running green early doors, the filly showed a smart turn of foot inside the final furlong staying on strongly to score decisively by one and three quarter lengths from Richard Hannon’s Heading North and John Gosden’s Cushion. Whilst the proximity of Heading North to Liber Nauticus would raise some serious concerns about the significant step up in grade for Sir Michael Stoute’s filly, we should note that Liber Nauticus was giving the benefit of experience away to Heading North at Goodwood and should improve significantly for both a Winter break and also the step up in trip to an extended 1m2f. With a pedigree which includes Azamour – an exceptional miler who handled the step upto both ten and twelve furlongs with aplomb in his racing career at the ages of three and four, as well as the ultra tough Godolphin owned grey Daylami, the potential of Liber Nauticus to thrive over ten furlongs is all too obvious. The fact that connections describe Liber Nauticus as a sizeable filly only further reinforces the opinion that a step up in trip will be ideal. Prominent in every ante-post list for the Oaks, a decisive display here at York will see her bang on track for Epsom Downs in June.

Woodland Aria has a similar profile to Liber Nauticus in the sense that she’s unbeaten in her sole start to date. However, it was on the All Weather at Wolverhampton in April that John Gosden’s filly made a successful start to her career. In landing a Maiden Fillies contest over an extended 1m&1f from Sir Michael Stoute’s Elik, Woodland Aria marked her ability for tackling the trip in the Musidora without fear. Although there would be little doubt this Singspiel filly could translate this ability to turf (on a predicted Good to Firm surface), the fear would be that Sir Michael Stoute would have a firm idea of how Liber Nauticus compares with Elik. The suspicion would be that Liber Nauticus is well ahead of Elik, based upon the fact that Elik could only finish fourth to Banoffee in last week’s Chesire Oaks on the Roodeye, coupled with the prominence of Liber Nauticus towards the fore of the Ante Post lists for the Epsom Classic.

Another who holds an entry for both Epsom and Royal Ascot, Indigo Lady will represent the Peter Chapple Hyam yard with Jamie Spencer aboard. This filly by Derby winner Sir Percy has been campaigned over seven and eight furlongs in her three career starts to date. Fifth of fifteen on debut at Doncaster in July 2012, she subsequently justified favouritism in a seven runner Maiden Auction Stakes at Yarmouth the following month. On this occasion, she made all of the running, quickening from the furlong pole to score well on ground described as Good to Soft. On her third start as a two year old, Indigo Lady made the trip to Chantilly for the Group 3 Prix D’Aumale over a mile. Indigo Lady could only finish third behind Peace Bug on this cross channel venture run on predictably Soft ground. Although she’s clearly an experienced filly, with the benefit of an overseas race to her name, and the fact she’s managed to score with some give in the ground bodes well for the chances of her stepping up further in trip on predicted faster ground at York, she’s still got to prove her ability to handle an extended ten furlongs. Despite her pedigree, the balance of her overall form suggests she’s opposable at this sort of trip. Nevertheless, there is also the distinct possibility that in a small field, she’ll be allowed a soft lead off a muddling pace and having proved that she can stay on well from the front at Yarmouth could do likewise on the expanses of the Knavesmire. However, the suspicion would be that she’ll also need to improve immeasurably to down Liber Nauticus.

Although improving markedly with each of her four career starts for Malton based handler Richard Fahey, it would be somewhat disappointing if the nine furlong Musselburgh handicap winner Romantic Settings was capable of playing a significant role in this Group 3 contest. Also a winner over a mile in an EBF Maiden at Haydock in September 2012, the Malton based charge made light of the testing conditions in Scotland on her return in early May to score by one and a half lengths from Mark Johnston’s King of The Danes. Unless we have significant (and unforecast) rain in the hours leading upto the Musidora, one would suspect Romantic Settings will be aiming for fourth or fifth placed prize money at best, even under the handling of the excellent Paul Hanagan, with a view to enhancing her paddock value, rather than going forward as a genuine contender for Epsom. Similar comments apply to the Mark Johnston trained filly Discernable. A winner of two of her eight career starts (both over seven furlongs), and whilst remaining ever respectful of her powerful stable, it would be a major surprise if one or two of the less exposed runners didn’t prove far superior to Discernable based upon her racecourse achievements to date. Her profile doesn’t really fit the requirements of an improving three year old traditionally associated with success in such an established Group 1 trial. Furthermore, the fact that the best of her form has come over a trip less than a mile implies that she may have some difficulty with the trip despite the general proven stamina of most Mark Johnston inmates. Of the three probable outsiders, it is perhaps Hollowina that holds the best chance of bustling up the market principals.

Although Hollowina hails from perhaps the least fashionable yard in the race (David Brown), this in no way detracts from her chances or is a reflection on her trainers ability. A winner of a Maiden Fillies Stakes at Haydock in September 2012 over a mile on Heavy ground, she subsequently put in a fair effort when a staying on fourth to Pure Excellence from off the pace in the Listed EBF Piper Heidseick Montrose Fillies Stakes at Newmarket on a similar soft surface. On her reappearance as a three year old last week in the Chesire Oaks at Chester, she filled fifth position after meeting trouble in running – one place behind the aforementioned Elik. This gives some hope that her form may be broadly comparable with Woodland Aria, and at double figure digits she could be worth a small place bet taking on trust her ability to handle a faster surface. Overall, my view is that she certainly has a significantly better chance than either Romantic Settings or Discernable at similar odds.

Verdict
However, in terms of the most likely winner, and even at a shade of odds on, it would be folly to oppose Sir Michael Stoute’s Liber Nauticus based solely upon the fact that she has the pedigree associated with success in this contest, and by far and away the most potential for improvement in the race.