Pitmans Derby at Newcastle

The Irish Derby is not the only Derby run today, as the Northumberland Plate, a valuable 2 mile handicap at 16.50 CET at Newcastle, is known as the Pitmans Derby in reference to the days when coalmining was a big industry in N. England. With 20 runners this is wide open, with Angel Gabrial (Richard Fahey/ George Chaloner), an unlucky second in the Chester Cup, the likely favourite. He can certainly reverse the Chester form with the winner Suegioo (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley), but there are plenty more dangers, and we like German-bred top-weight Oriental Fox (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning). He was just touched off in this race last year, and although he is not well handicapped, has plenty of smart form, including a sixth place in the Ascot Gold Cup. That was only 9 days ago, but he is very tough and we do not see that as a problem. Best of the strong Irish contingent could be Lucky Bridle (Willie Mullins/ Paul Hanagan), especially as the trainer has pulled out his Royal Ascot winner.

There is racing all over today and Newmarket also has a strong card. Fahey is having a great run and we like his Garswood (Ryan Moore) in the Group Three over 7 furlongs at 16.30. And we are certainly interested in the fillies listed race over a mile at 17.05 in which German 1,000 Guineas fourth Evita Peron (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) reappears. This is a strong field for a listed race, but Evita Peron, who was slowly away at Düsseldorf, should be thereabouts.