Hi all,
Newcastle’s three-day Northumberland Plate meeting gets under way this afternoon. The feature race of seven-race card at Newcastle is the Class 2 Seaton Delaval Handicap (3.20). Besides the Newcastle race I have a couple of fancies on this afternoon’s card at Newmarket.
Newcastle
There’s £18,039 on offer to the winner of this year’s Seaton Delaval Handicap. Horses from powerful Newmarket yards in the shape of Lattam and Al Algaila dominate the betting. However, it looks like a deep renewal of the race, and you can give most of the 11 runners a chance.
Lattam
Lattam won Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh on his return to action in March and backed up that effort when finishing a 3 ½ length 2nd of 10 Jim Hendrix at Newbury 68 day ago. Makes all-weather debut but goes well fresh and could be capable of better.
Al Algaila
Seemed to improve for the step up to 1m 2f when wining twice at Lingfield including the Winter Oaks Handicap in January. Returned from a 4 month absence with a poor run when last of 7 back on turf at Nottingham 25-days ago. Needs to bounce back from her latest run which she may do back on a synthetic surface.
Brunch
Two from 2 over C&D but hasn’t run on the surface since June 2020. He didn’t build on the promise of his Doncaster seasonal return when disappointing behind Jim Hendrix at Newbury 68 days ago. Handicapped to go close when bouncing back to his best which could easily be this afternoon.
Empirestateofmind
Finished runner-up on his last start over C&D 12 month ago before improving later last summer/autumn on turf. Ran well to finish runner-up in handicap at Newmarket (1m) in April before running to bad to be true back at that venue 54 days ago. A normally consistent performer he’s the type to bounce back before too long but has edged up the weights without winning.
Eilean Dubh
An improved handicapper last year winning four times including over C&D. The 5-year-old wasn’t at his best on his first four starts in 2023 but was back to form when a ¾ length 3rd of 12 at Sandown 12 days ago. Nudged up 2lb but still makes plenty of appeal.
Alrehb made it 5- 9 on the all-weather when posting a career best on RPR’s to win the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton, from 5lb lower in March. Not at his best on three subsequent starts on the grass but can’t be ruled out back on the all-weather.
Symbol Of Light
Completed an all-weather hat trick for previous trainer Charlie Appleby when winning on handicap debut at Southwell 518 days ago. Has since switched to Julie Camacho and has had win surgery. Maybe capable of doing better for his new yard but this is a tough race to make a winning return in.
Empirestateofmind – 1pt win – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Brunch – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Newmarket
4:20 – Final Watch a previous C&D winner posted a career best on RPR’s when winning an amateur rider’s handicap at Ascot over today’s distance last September. Shaped with promise on his return on the Rowley Course but ran well below form back their last time (lost both front shoes). Down to his last winning mark and has good claims if back to his best.
Final Watch – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:30 – Dereham won this race 12 months ago from a 1lb higher mark. The 7-year-old was a solid enough ½ length 3rd of 8 at Chelmsford three weeks ago. That run should have put the 7-year-old spot on for another tilt at this race. Harry Davies who won on him last year is also back in the saddle for the first time since that success.
Dereham – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John