1:40 Newcastle
The opener from Newcastle on the AW is a 7f handicap.
I’ll give KORKER (22/1) EW a chance in this. He’s a consistent slow starter, which often ruins his chance, but Newcastle is not a bad track to come from off the pace, and it’s a stiff 7f track. He was last seen flying home at Chester finishing a never-nearer 6th. That is possibly the worst track for slow starters so I think that effort can be marked up. He’s a huge price, and he’s worth the risk. He’s certainly talented enough to win off his current mark of 90.
1:55 York
Our first race live from York on ITV is a 0-90 mile handicap.
I like GOLDEN STRIKE (7/1) EW in this. A really consistent sort who’s run up to form all season bar one effort at Doncaster in April. However, his solo run since that disappointment was an impressive victory here at York over 7f. I don’t see the mile being a problem, and I think a mark of 75 is still well within his reach.
2:25 York
Next up, back at York is a trappy 5f handicap.
I think FORTIFICATION (4/1) will go very well in this. The Brian Ellison three-year-old was a decent winner here at York in May in what looks a competitive enough handicap on paper. He followed that with a 4th placed effort before finishing a fine third back here two weeks ago in a competitive contest. He caught the eye there, travelling well, and he had to make his run away from the winner. This race looks weaker to me, and I think he can resume winning ways over a course and distance he obviously excels at.
2:40 Newcastle
The Northumberland Vase is at 2:40. The consolation race for the Plate is over the extended 2 miles.
It’s ST FAZ (11/1) EW for me in this trappy contest. This prominent racer will be able to gain a nice handy early position from stall 9, and it’s often a good spot in these long-distance handicaps as they don’t always go the gallop expected. St Faz comes into this race in good form, finishing a close 5th in the Chester Plate before running another cracker at Thirsk last time out, when finishing a close second. He’s twice won on the Southwell tapeta track so I’m confident this AW surface will hold no fears. The yard is going well and he can run a big race and hit the frame at least.
2:58 York
Our final race from York is the Criterion Stakes, a Group 3 contest ran over 7f.
I’d be happy to give SABER STRIKE (7/4) NB a second chance to bounce back from his poor effort at Royal Ascot last week. He went off as a clear favourite for the competitive Group 3 Jersey Stakes there but could only manage a disappointing 6th. The race didn’t appear to go his way, drawn high away from the first three home. Truth be told, he didn’t appear to go with the enthusiasm we saw in his first two career starts. These two runs were two highly encouraging wins, suggesting he’d certainly end up a Group horse in time. Trainer Williams Haggas states the horse just needs more experience, and the fact that he’s happy to turn him out again this week suggests he’s happy with how the horse came out of the race. I’m sure he expects a bold bid from Saber Strike at the yard’s favourite track, York.
3:15 Newcastle
The feature comes up at 3:15, the Northumberland Plate, a competitive handicap over the extended 2-mile trip.
I think DANCING IN PARIS (14/1) EW has been laid out for this after a fine second behind Spirit Mixer in the race last year. He’s 2lb better off with that rival today, and Spirit Mixer has been running in competitive handicaps in recent weeks, whilst the selection has been kept for this. He’s had one run this term over an inadequate 1m4f trip, and you can be sure that was to put him spot on for this. Stall 4 looks perfect, and I think he can go close again, just like 2025.
3:45 Newcastle
We finish with a 6f handicap from Newcastle at 3:45.
The Haggas trained POWER FIZZ (11/4) NAP looks to be on an upward trajectory, and that can continue here. A progressive three-year-old last season, he returned to action looking better than ever when winning over this course and distance pretty easily on seasonal reappearance. That puts him 2/2 at the track, and I don’t think a 7lb rise will prevent him from making it 3/3.
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Henry covers both flat and National Hunt racing at thatsagoal.com. Producing a daily NAP, each-way bet and lucky 15 tip throughout the year.