Irish Derby Day

Today’s Racing Preview

After a week of baking sunshine across the country the weekend looks set to be a washout although this is unlikely to change the going with the majority of couses going good to firm. We have 5 UK and Irish cards to work through from Redcar, Newcastle, Newmarket, Lingfield and the Curragh with the highlights being the Northumberland Plate and the Irish Derby.

Newcastle-

The Chipchase stakes (1.50) looks a competitive renewal with plenty of group form on offer. Brando would be the pick of horses on previous form having made the frame in 3 consecutive group 1 races last term last season. It’s recent run at Newmarket should blow away any cobwebs and it should strip fitter today and looks sure to go well. Judical won 2 listed races last season and ran respectively on his reappearance at Newmarket in defeat to Far Above over 5 fulongs. He steps up to 6 furlongs today and we are not confident this is a wise move with its best form over 5 furlongs. MUBAKKER takes a hike in class today but was very impressive in victory at Newcastle last time out in a class 2 event and he looks a progressive sort and a bit special. We fancy Sir Michael Stoute’s charge to go in again today in what could be a thrilling race. Of the rest Chiefofchiefs won the Silver Wokingham at Royal Ascot last week and Fox Champion coul be of interest at 25/1 for Hannon and De Souza.

VIRGIN SNOW (NAP)made a winning comeback in a Haydock handicap race over 1m2f a few weeks ago and done so in good fashion and looks another who could go on to better things this season for Ed Dunlop. She has an Oaks winner in her breeding and Ben Curtis taks the reigns, which is a huge advantage. The favourite is deservedly Aloe Vera who has by far the best form on offer and could go on to be a very smart filly, but we are prepared to take it on with a few question marks looming over her. Mainly she has a 401 day absence to overcome since winning a listed race at Goodwood in May 2019 and she is also unraced on this surface. With that in mind we hope Virgin Snow has the fitness and class to get her head infront at the line today.

The Northumberland plate looks a very competitive race as always and a toogh one to figure out. We were on Australis last time out who got the better of favourite Caravan of Hope and both would have to enter calculations here. Roger Varian has been in great form of late and is a worthy favourite. Alan King saddled the winner ‘Who Dares Wins’ and he saddles RAINBOW DREAMER this year with Hollie Doyle taking the reigns.  King has been on some eyecatching form with his flat horses, notably at Royal Ascot last week. The selection won 4 on the bounce lasy year and ran credably on return in a group 3 race althoughhas a career high mark to overcome to take this. Others wort noting are Rajinsky and Collide.

The result of the Northumberland plate is likely to give an indicator of the form of AL KOUT , who finished behind Australis and Caravan of Hope at Wolverhampton last time out. Hollie Doyle again takes the ride and it looks fairly well treated on that form. Authors Dream landed a shock at 33/1 last time out and looks likely to give another good account and Glan Y Gors looks to land a 4 timer.

Newcastle bets-

1350-Mubakker 5/2 (2 points win)

1500- Virgin Snow 9/4 (3 points win)

1535- Rainbow Dreamer 7/1 (1 point ew)

1610-Al Kout 7/2 (1 point win)