A low draw is by no means essential for success in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle but it so happens that Quest For More (3.45) has been given one and this race may work out well for him. A prominent racer who can finish well after tracking a strong pace, he should have no trouble getting a good position from stall three and will probably be better placed than most of the fancied horses to make a challenge after the turn for home.
Quest For More looks like he belongs in this company after making steady progress for the past 18 months. He is now rated almost two stones higher than the mark he had at the start of last season but has not peaked yet, judged by the way he won at Goodwood last time. The runner-up that day, Oasis Fantasy, has not been nearly so lucky with the draw in stall 21.
It will help Quest For More’s cause if the ground, which seemed no faster than Good for Thursday’s card at Newcastle, could dry out a bit. He goes well on top of the ground and a fast surface would expose the lack of pace among most of his rivals here.
At twice the odds, Blue Surf is interesting after his reappearance success at Epsom. He is not a certain stayer at this distance, however.
2.00 Newcastle
A good fifth in last weekend’s Wokingham, for which he was sent off as favourite, Watchable is up to winning this if able to reproduce his best form so quickly. He was beaten only half a length in another six furlong Group Three, the Abernant, to start his season and this field has much less strength in depth than that one did.
2.15 Newmarket
This could be a notable success on British soil for the champion of Qatar, Dubday, who made an impressive first appearance here when second to Telescope at Newbury in May. While he trailed the winner at a respectful distance, he beat everything else by four lengths or more. Gatewood has 10 lengths to make up on that form. Gospel Choir may be vulnerable on his first run for more than a year.
2.35 Newcastle
Bushcraft is a progressive sprinter who should be suited by the likely strong pace. His two recent wins have been on Good to Firm but this easier surface is thought to be ideal for him.
2.50 Newmarket
Bournemouth Belle is worth a lot of respect but it is hard to go against Katie’s Diamond, who was so impressive in winning on her debut at Redcar. “She’s the best I’ve had at this stage of their career,” her trainer, Karl Burke, said at the time. She has plenty of scope and will hopefully show a slightly more professional attitude here, having pulled for her head in the early stages.
3.10 Newcastle
While this is highly competitive, it represents an easier opportunity than Zarwaan has been facing. His first two runs of the season have been in the Lincoln and the Victoria Cup, for both of which he was fancied. He ran well enough but faces half as many rivals this time and seven furlongs on Good going could be his thing.
3.25 Newmarket
Wannabe Yours ruined his chance by pulling too hard on his reappearance a fortnight ago under Nicky Mackay. He has the quality to win this if both fitter and a bit less fresh. Andrea Atzeni rides for the first time.
6.30 Curragh
While the Irish Derby is not on Channel 4, it clearly deserves a mention in this space and British viewers will still be able to watch it if they have access to At The Races. Instinctively, I want to find an alternative to Jack Hobbs, since taking odds-on in a Classic is not an appealing idea. But the more I consider the available alternatives, the clearer it becomes that he is the form standout and ought to win unless something prevents him from running his race. He was a clear second in the Derby behind an above-average winner, despite struggling with the Epsom camber for most of the home straight. This more galloping circuit should suit him better and, while we have probably not seen the best of Giovanni Canaletto, it is too much of a stretch to imagine him making up the six lengths by which he trailed Jack Hobbs three weeks ago. The Coolmore team seem to agree, since Ryan Moore takes the ride instead on the French Derby runner-up, Highland Reel, but I thought he looked a bit one-paced at Chantilly, for all that the extra quarter-mile will help him here. Qualify offers the possibility of some each-way value at 12-1 but that is a bet I would only make if I could persuade myself that she might beat Jack Hobbs and I can’t quite get there.
