15:00 Newcastle

Saturday 29 June 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:50

Betfair Exchange Northumberland Vase Handicap (Consolation Race for The Northumberland Plate)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 32.97s

(6)

Busy Street³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 94| CD

14/1

Below-par on his last two turf starts this return to the AW will suit him; 13213 on the AW this year (includes a C&D win). Appreciates a good test of stamina (best off a strong pace; travels strongly); should be competitive off this mark; respected.

Form: 321356

(10)

Rare Groove⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 94| C

6/1

Useful handicapper who found this grade a little too tough last time on turf; does have good form figures here (21, win came over 1m4f). Yet to try this trip (last win came over 1m5f); mark/distance make this a tough ask on AW return.

Form: 119-310

(4)

Seamour⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 93| D

16/1

Well held over 1m4f here last time having had 18 months off the track (race obviously needed); remains well treated on his old form. Second in the 2016 Plate off 6lb higher it remains to be seen if he can match those heights again given his age.

Form: 23004/0

(7)

Coeur de Lion^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 93| D

7/1

Out-and-out stayer (unproven on this surface); comes here in good heart having run well at Royal Ascot (fifth in Ascot Stakes, 2m4f). Showed how well at severe test suits him when winning at Chester (2m2f, heavy); in the mix if taking to Tapeta.

Form: 850-215

(13)

Exceeding Power²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: M R Bosley| OR: 92

50/1

Useful handicapper who has risen up the handicap on the back of four AW wins since early 2018. Ran poorly on his recent return to action though off a career-high mark; with doubts about the suitability of this trip he's not hard to pass over.

Form: 014-140

(9)

Theglasgowwarrior⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: J S Goldie| OR: 91| C

12/1

Twice a course winner (1m4f) this likeable handicapper now gets a test that he probably needs these days (fifth in Cesarewitch last year). Already a winner this year off a 2lb lower mark he looks sure to produce his usual creditable effort.

Form: 6-32189

(11)

Stamford Raffles⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 91| CD

25/1

2-2 over C&D albeit those victories came back in 2016 off much lower marks it does make him of interest. Seemingly better on AW than turf he appeared to excel himself when winning at Kempton in February; would need to reproduce that effort.

Form: 9-21307

(12)

Canford Heights²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90

9/2

Found plenty of improvement to win on handicap debut last year on turf (1m6f) backing up a 1m4f AW success. Ended last year with a sound York run (1m6f); qualms now though given disappointing comeback on AW (raced too close to strong pace).

Form: 65114-7

(5)

Carnwennan³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 87| D

7/2

Clearly a stayer on the up (only made his debut last year); climbing the handicap in rapid fashion (won his last two starts on turf/AW over 2m). Up a further 4lb he has to prove himself on Tapeta; will appreciate a stiff test, leading candidate.

Form: 612-211

(8)

Lissitzky²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

6/1

Below-par last time (first-time cheekpieces) over 1m6f (Newmarket) having won well over same C&D time before (strong staying performance). Last effort raised suspicions that he may not be straightforward; should be suited by 2m, misgivings remain.

Form: 128-410

(2)

Suegioo^v⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| BF

33/1

Very quirky (always gets well behind, finishes well when in mood); not shown his best side yet this year. Shown ability by finishing second/fifth in the Plate, eighth in this last year; capable off this mark but very hard to support with conviction.

Form: 65-2745

(15)

Michael's Mount¹⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| D

12/1

Made amends for Chester mishap (went for home circuit too early) when winning under a positive ride last time at Pontefract (2m1f, soft). Returns to the AW (previous attempts ages ago) up in grade; game attitude (bold display on the cards).

Form: 313/841

(14)

Desert Point²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 84

28/1

Flat exploits for this yard have proved more fruitful than over hurdles having proved his worth over 2m at Haydock (matching his old Flat ability). Easy to back last time (gave impression 1m4f trip against him); may have more to offer as a stayer.

Form: 203/334

(3)

Glan Y Gors^b¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: C Lee| T: D Thompson| OR: 77| C

50/1

Solid run of form over here over 1m4f at the start of the year; recent turf form would leave him something to find though (reservations over this trip). 0-9 above Class 4 grade though; likelihood that this examination will prove a bridge too far.

Form: 630269

(1)

Always Resolute^v²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-4| J: D Fentiman| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74| BF| D

25/1

In good form over hurdles since arriving at this yard; transferred that form over to the Flat (hasn't won in this sphere for a long time though). Both recent efforts have been laudable; well handicapped based on his hurdles mark; acts on Tapeta.

Form: 0348-32

Forecasts

Carnwennan (7/2), Canford Heights (9/2), Rare Groove (6/1), Lissitzky (6/1), Coeur de Lion (7/1), Theglasgowwarrior (12/1), Michael's Mount (12/1), Busy Street (14/1), Seamour (16/1), Always Resolute (25/1), Stamford Raffles (25/1), Desert Point (28/1), Suegioo (33/1), Glan Y Gors (50/1), Exceeding Power (50/1)

Almost as complex as the Plate to solve this consolation race provides the perfect hors d’oeuvre to the main event. Coeur De Lion has already won one consolation event this year (Chester Plate) and ran a fine race at Ascot last time, he must go close in this. CARNWENNAN stands out as the progressive individual looking to complete a hat-trick and land his most valuable prize yet over a trip he looks at home over. Course winner over shorter Theglasgowwarrior isn’t out of this, neither is Michael’s Mount who looks the best of the Ian Williams trio (the trainer won this in 2017) despite being penalised for his Pontefract success. Desert Point appeals as a lively outsider for the Dalgleish team.