Pitmen´s Derby at Newcastle

the best race in the U.K.today is the Northumberland Plate, aka the Pitmen´s Derby, a valuable handicap over 2 miles at 16.45 CET at Newcastle. This race has a long history and it is sad to think that this might be the last time it is run on turf - as the track is to be an all-weather course next year, a great shame. With 20 runners, today´s edition looks very difficult indeed. Dr. Marwan Koukash likes to win here and had the first 2 last year in Angel Gabrial (Richard Fahey/ Jack Garrity) and Suegioo (Marco Botti/ Martin Lane), who both try again, together with Gabrial´s Star (Tony Hamilton) and Gabrial´s King (Paul Hanagan), both trained by Fahey; impossible to tell who will come out best, but "King" has the first colours. Another with 4 chances is trainer Brian Ellison, who saddles Totalize (Peter McDonald), Montefeltro (Robert Tart),Buthelezi (Ben Curtis) and Seamour (Silvestre de Sousa); the last-named is shortest in the betting, but his outside draw is a big disadvantage. Others for the short list are Nearly Caught (Hughie Morrison/ Rab Havlin) and Quest for More (Roger Charlton/ George Baker), while wily Irishman Willie Mullins sends over Max Dynamite (Martin Harley), a good hurdler who has not run on the flat for almost 2 years; Mullins certainly knows the time of day as far as these big staying races are concerned and we make his runner a tentative choice.

Also on the Newcastle card is the Chipchase Stakes over 6 furlongs at 15.00, one only 2 group races in the U.K. today Danzeno (Mike Appleby/ Andrew Mullen) won it last year and he can double up, although the smart 3yo Mattmu (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) looks a big threat. The other group race is the Criterion Stakes over 7 furlongs at Newmarket at 16.25.Hors de Combat (James Fanshawe/ Tom Queally) failed to make any Impression against the top milers in the Lockinge, but in this lower grade he should go close. Ryan Moore rides in the first 2 races here before jetting off (or helicoptering?) to Ireland.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Geno - Plagiarism - Paddy Power
2. Race: Danzeno - Watchable - Mattmu
3. Race: Bushcraft - Tanzeel - Major Jack
4. Race: Zarwaan - Russian Realm - Lulu The Zulu
5. Race: Quest For More - Seamour - Gabrial`s King
6. Race: Interconnection - Memory Cloth - Snowmane
7. Race: Woofie - Volunteer Point - Ythan Waters