Tag Archive for: Newcastle

Diligent Harry holds on for front-running Sprint verdict

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Diligent Harry was given an inspired ride by Kieran Shoemark to win a hot renewal of the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

Away well in the six-furlong event that brought All-Weather Championships Finals Day to a close, the 4-1 shot soon found himself on the front end and Shoemark seized the initiative aboard Clive Cox’s five-year-old to dictate matters.

At a track where it can be notoriously difficult to win from the front, Diligent Harry showed plenty of resolve when the talented cast of sprinters began to make their respective challenges and the son of Due Diligence always had extra in reserve – responding gamely to Shoemark’s urgings to repel both Witch Hunter and 7-4 favourite Annaf in a thrilling finish.

Diligent Harry and connections after winning the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle
Diligent Harry and connections after winning the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle (PA)

It was the second time the gelding has scooped prize-money on Finals Day having landed the three-year-old division at Lingfield in 2021 and his next outing could be in York’s 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes on May 18.

Cox said: “Nothing jumped well enough to lead him, ideally you’d be looking for something to give him a lead but it was wonderful.

“That’s twice on Good Friday now he’s collected. At Lingfield a couple of years ago and now here. Now I’m really looking forward to the summer with him.

“I think there’s a big pot on the turf to win with him. We’ve always thought highly of him and we’ve campaigned him accordingly. With a little bit of confidence, I think he can be exciting for the rest of the summer.

“He’s in the Duke of York but it’s exciting now, he’ll have got some confidence from that.

“Gelding has certainly helped him and he’s matured. I’m really excited.”

Shoemark said: “That was probably plan D. It didn’t go to plan at all, as Diligent Harry usually pulls himself up in front. I was talking to the other jockeys in the stalls and absolutely no one wanted to go forward. He pinged the gates and I had no choice in it.

“He travelled like a dream today, quickened really good from the two to the one, but I just felt that he was waiting for another horse in the last furlong.

“I had committed to him in all fairness, even though Vadream was in the race, and I was always going to ride him. I am just delighted for the whole team. He was the class horse in the race and he deserves it.”

Queen Aminatu reigns in Fillies And Mares’ heat

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Queen Aminatu flew home to land a hat-trick in the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

William Haggas’ daughter of Muhaarar is unbeaten since being switched back to the all-weather and having struck at both Lingfield and Deauville at the back-end of 2022, she continued her love affair with the synthetics in this £150,000 contest at Gosforth Park.

Held up off the steady pace by Cieren Fallon, the Anthony Oppenheimer-owned four-year-old looked like she could struggle to find a run as the race began to develop. But she turned on the afterburners once she found some daylight and showed a devastating turn of foot to run down Rae Guest’s Aramis Girl and the 11-10 favourite Manaafith inside the final furlong.

It was the master of Somerville Lodge’s second victory in the seven-furlong event following Diagnostic in 2018 and there could be plenty more big days to come for the upwardly-mobile filly, with her jockey indicating a trip to Royal Ascot could be on the agenda.

Fallon said: “We went a nice gallop and I was just waiting for gaps really. She settled nicely and when I clicked the go button – wow – she put it to bed in a matter of strides.

“I was drawn next to Jim (Crowley) which was crucial, so I just wanted to follow him as I felt he was the one to beat on Manaafith. She’s a versatile filly who settles really well and with that turn of foot she has, she puts races to bed in no time.

Queen Aminatu ridden by Cieren Fallon (second left) wins the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle
Queen Aminatu ridden by Cieren Fallon (second left) wins the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle (Richard Sellers/PA)

“I understand she stays in training, she’s improving loads. It’s exciting.

“I rode her work last week and said to the boss I thought she was a Group horse. To win a race like this like that, proves it.

“She’s always going to go and improve for her first run of the year, so with a bit of luck you’d think she can go and win a Group race.

“I think Royal Ascot will be the plan.”

Shadow seals Newcastle treble for Balding and Murphy

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Berkshire Shadow brought up an All-Weather Championships Finals Day treble for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy when claiming the Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes.

A winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot as a two-year-old, the 7-4 favourite ran some encouraging races over this trip early in his three-year-old season, finishing fifth in the 2000 Guineas before being beaten less than two lengths in the St James’s Palace Stakes on his return to the Royal meeting.

Although his form tailed off as the summer went on last year, he was gelded over the winter and the son of Dark Angel landed the Lady Wulfruna Stakes on his reappearance at Wolverhampton last month to book his ticket to Gosforth Park.

Sent off the 7-4 favourite in the north east, Murphy was content to stalk the pace set by The Wizard Of Eye and Lord Of The Lodge and as The Wizard Of Eye’s brave front-running effort began to wane inside the final furlong, Berkshire Shadow was just getting motoring and he hit the front half a furlong from home before keeping on powerfully.

Balding was represented by his wife Anna Lisa, who said: “That was brilliant, that was the one we wanted today, I’m delighted.

“He’s a special horse to us and Paul (Spickett, owner) has been very patient with him since he won the Coventry as he’d run well without winning.

“I know he won on his comeback early in the year but that was his target today.

Oisin Murphy after winning the Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes on Berkshire Shadow at Newcastle
Oisin Murphy after winning the Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes on Berkshire Shadow at Newcastle (Richard Sellers/PA)

“I don’t think gelding him has made the difference, he just finally looks like a proper horse now and has filled his frame. He’s an outstanding looking horse now.

“He’s in the Lockinge, I don’t know if he’ll go there but he’s in very good form so we’ll see how he is.

“He’s had to really see the mile out and Oisin said he really did, which is a huge positive.”

Murphy said: “This guy was brilliant at two, then he lost his way but he’s bounced back.

“He won a Listed race last time and over a stiff mile today, I thought we would learn for the future, and he definitely stayed the trip so I’m thrilled.

“He travelled so well. I’d love to see the sectionals for the final furlong as it felt like we really slowed down. We learned plenty.

“He was never colty but after losing his way, despite being a Coventry winner, it made sense to geld him.”

Murphy and Balding also struck gold with Desert Cop in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes and Notre Belle Bete in the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic, with the rider happy to record his first high-profile treble since returning from a 14-month ban in February.

He said: “I came with lots of nice rides and it’s brilliant the horses have performed.

Desert Cop was the first of three winners for Murphy
Desert Cop was the first of three winners for Murphy (Richard Sellers/PA)

“Unfortunately Berkshire Rocco didn’t win and Arabian Storm didn’t win.

“We have a lot of good horses at Andrew Balding’s and there is a lot of hard work that goes into it.

“I just ride them, I know jockeys say that sometimes but we also see the overall work that goes in behind the scenes.

“I am riding lots of horses with chances and it’s great they are winning. I am really enjoying it.”

Balding added: “After the first race I was thinking it was going to be a long way home, especially as I’ve got to go up to Musselburgh tomorrow but it’s turned out brilliant.”

Notre Belle Bete claims Classic honours

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Notre Belle Bete landed a gamble to win the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes in taking fashion at Newcastle.

Andrew Balding’s five-year-old was well supported ahead of the race and eventually went off the 9-4 joint-favourite in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Trying the 10-furlong distance for just the second time, the son of Zoffany was ridden with supreme confidence by the in-form jockey, travelling into contention with real ease before staying every yard of the trip when asked to stride on by Murphy.

Notre Belle Bete was well in control inside the distance, registering a one-length verdict over Simon and Ed Crisford’s Base Note to provide both Balding and owners King Power Racing with a second win in the £200,000 contest after Bangkok’s success in 2021.

Balding was represented by his wife Anna Lisa, who said: “He loves the all-weather and has been working really well at home, he’s clearly thrived for going up in trip.

“I have to say hats off to Shannon (James) who looks after him because he looked a million dollars in the paddock today and won best turned out.

“He hasn’t won for a year, so she’s clearly got him on great terms with himself.

Notre Belle Bete and jockey Oisin Murphy after winning the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse
Notre Belle Bete and jockey Oisin Murphy after winning the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse (Richard Sellers/PA)

“It’s a great race to win for King Power and great for Oisin, he’s riding well, he’s certainly not out of practice, it’s fantastic.

“He was just beaten in the Lincoln Trial but I think this was the aim (rather than the Lincoln) – with the prize-money they put on you can’t ignore it. It’s fantastic.”

Murphy added: “He was a bit unlucky at Wolverhampton when the pace was strong and I met trouble in the straight.

“Stepping up to 10 furlongs today, he was a dream to ride and it was a very easy success.

“I felt it would suit him. Ten furlongs, even if they go slow early, is a long way at Newcastle, it takes some getting, but he got to the line well.

“Many big handicaps on turf are over a mile, so he’d have a lot of weight in those but he deserves to be at the big meetings.

“He’s easy to ride and it went very straightforward.”

Rainbow Dreamer secures Marathon gold medal

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Hollie Doyle got on the scoresheet at Newcastle as she guided Rainbow Dreamer to victory in the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes.

Alan King’s 10-year-old has been an ever-present in long-distance events on the synthetics and he was notching up his 13th career success and sixth with Doyle in the saddle.

Anchored towards the rear as Withhold and defending champion Earlofthecotswolds set a blistering pace, Doyle was able to slowly ease her mount into the contest and the Barbury Castle veteran was able to come into his own in the closing stages as he pulled out extra to hold off Olly Murphy’s Fleurman.

It was third time lucky for the 10-1 winner, who had finished fifth in the All-Weather Championships Finals Day contest 12 months ago and fourth in 2021 when the race was held at Lingfield.

For Doyle it was a third success since returning from the elbow injury she suffered in January and she was delighted to pick up another big staying pot at Gosforth Park having won the Northumberland Plate aboard the King-trained Trueshan last summer.

She said: “He’s an old legend, he’s 10 now and it seems like I’ve been riding him since I was an apprentice.

“Unfortunately I missed him this winter as I was away (in Japan and then injured), so it is very good of Alan and the owners to put me back on.

Rainbow Dreamer and Hollie Doyle after winning the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle
Rainbow Dreamer and Hollie Doyle after winning the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle (Richard Sellers/PA)

“I know there was loads of pace on and for a stayer he is a horse who can travel a bit, so I was never too worried. I got there too soon really but he deserved to win a big one today.

“I’m really lucky. I’ve been out for a while but thankfully this one was waiting for me when I got back.

“He’s run in this race a few times and he’s been knocking on the door, he’s very consistent. I think the strong pace helped him in the end.

“We’ve had a fair bit of luck up here together, with Trueshan winning the Plate.”

Murphy felt Fleurman had simply been beaten by a superior rival on the day, but some big Flat prizes remain in his sights.

He said: “He ran an absolute cracker. He has been seriously progressive on the all-weather. They went a good gallop and I thought he would win a furlong down, but Alan’s horse just kept going and we couldn’t get by him.

“We were second best on the day, but he ran an absolute belter. Whether we look at a Northumberland Plate back here or Royal Ascot, I am not sure, but he’s a progressive horse and hopefully his progression hasn’t stopped yet.”

Desert Cop speeds to All-Weather Finals Day success

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Desert Cop blitzed the opposition to win the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes in fine style at Newcastle.

Andrew Balding’s son of Oasis Dream possesses a speedy pedigree and advertised his potential with a bloodless victory at Kempton in February – and it was more of the same at Gosforth Park as he landed the £150,000 contest won by some handy speedsters over the years.

After Shaquille, one of the market leaders failed to enter the stalls and was withdrawn at the start, it was Mick Appleby’s Michaela’s Boy that led the field along in the early stages.

However, Oisin Murphy aboard the 11-1 winner was always travelling smoothly tracking the pace, and having gone for home approaching the one-furlong pole, the race was soon over as a contest – with the Jeff Smith-owned colt scorching clear of the running-on 2-1 favourite Shouldvebeenaring, who stayed on into second, beaten one and three-quarter lengths.

Balding was represented by his wife Anna-Lisa, who said: “It’s always great to get winners for Jeff (Smith, owner) as he’s so enthusiastic but sadly he’s not here today. We had a disappointment in the first (race) but for Desert Cop to go and do that is fantastic.

“Oisin got off him and was very complimentary, I think it will be an exciting year for him.

“I think today was definitely going to answer questions for the trainer as to what we do in the future, so I imagine we’ll get him home and have a look at everything. Jeff is so involved – usually 20 minutes after the race he has an idea!

“He had something to find on the figures but he’d shown enough at home to warrant running”

Arabian Storm failed to fire in the opening Burradon Stakes for the team of owner, trainer and jockey, but he was reported to be none the worse after coming home ninth.

Balding added: “The first race was really disappointing as he’s a lovely horse, by Kingman out of Arabian Queen and he’s worked very well, but we’re not dealing with machines, he’s pulled up fine.”

Desert Cop and Oisin Murphy
Desert Cop and Oisin Murphy (Richard Sellers/PA)

Murphy believes there is plenty more to come from Desert Cop in the future.

He said: “Desert Cop is massively on the upgrade and that was a really good performance. I am so pleased for Jeff Smith and all his team at Littleton Stud. They do a fantastic job at breeding these horses and he is really one to look forward to.

“It was very hard to judge the form of Desert Cop’s first three starts, but we knew he was improving at home. I loved his attitude today; I still had plenty of horse at the line, and that bodes well for the future. I am not sure what Andrew’s plans are but he’s definitely on the improve and six furlongs suits him well.”

Richard Hannon was “delighted” with the effort of Shouldvebeenaring.

He said: “He might have bumped into a decent horse. He travelled very well and once again he’s run another super solid race.

“There are a lot of options with him during the year now. The owners rightfully are very pleased with him and he will be a lot of fun during the summer.”

Dear My Friend sparks Derby dream for Middleham Park Racing

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Dear My Friend marked himself as a smart prospect by winning the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes, the opening event on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle.

Trained by Charlie Johnston, the son of Pivotal won his first two outings at two before being highly tried in Pattern company in his final three starts of the campaign.

Placed efforts at Deauville and in Newmarket’s Zetland Stakes was enough to convince connections to add the colt to the Derby earlier this week and he justified that belief at Gosforth Park.

James Doyle was in no rush aboard the Middleham Park Racing-owned charge in the early stages, but came home with a flourish and his proven stamina saw him always holding Karl Burke’s runner-up Flight Plan inside the final furlong.

The winning rider said: “We got squashed at the start. It was a funny race, we dawdled and then one took off which opened the race up. We got sucked into the race nicely and I knew his stamina would come into play, he galloped out strong.

“You’d think he’d stay 10 furlongs fine but he’s quite a strong traveller so over 12 he would have to settle better, he was quite fresh today with it being his first run. He would need to relax a bit better but these Johnston horses do stay well.”

A 100-1 shot for Epsom prior to this Listed event, Paddy Power were suitably impressed with the performance and shortened Dear My Friend to 40-1 for the Classic on June 3.

Dear My Friend ridden by James Doyle (centre) wins the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse
Dear My Friend ridden by James Doyle (centre) wins the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse (Richard Sellers/PA)

He will now test his credentials for that assignment in a Derby trial, with Johnston nominating York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes on May 18 as a next port of call.

“Fair play to Mike (Prince, of Middleham Park) as when I phoned him this week to say we were putting him in the Dante, he said let him have a think about the Derby and I’ll ring back. That was solely his idea,” said Johnston.

“Looking at that today, 10 furlongs looks perfect but 12 might be just too far. A lot went wrong today, he got flattened at the start, he was quite far back and had to make up a lot of ground through the middle of the race. I thought that might tell in the last 100 yards.

“Fair play to the horse, he knuckled down. The obvious thing would be to go to the Dante next but I’ll speak to Mike first.”

Prince, representing the owners, added: “He was always keen as a two-year-old but he had cover today. It was a messy race, they crawled and then sprinted but his stamina came into play. He’s got a lovely, long stride.

“We put him in the Dante and Derby this week and he’ll certainly go for a Derby trial and the plan is to go to Epsom, we think he’ll stay. I was worried he’d be too keen to stay but he showed today with cover he’s fine.

“We’ve never had a runner in the Derby so that would be a first for us, it would be a dream come true.

“We had a stellar season last year, our best ever, and we thought it might be tough to top that but we’ve started well.”

Forest Of Dean and Harrovian tough to split for Gosdens

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Forest Of Dean and Harrovian have become standing dishes for the John and Thady Gosden team and again look set to play a big part in another major all-weather prize, this time the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

Forest Of Dean is a former winner of the Winter Derby and three visits to Gosforth Park have resulted in two victories and a runner-up finish, one of those wins being a fast-track qualifier for Finals Day on his penultimate start.

The pair clashed in the latest renewal of the Winter Derby, with Harrovian fourth to high-class stablemate Lord North and Forest Of Dean sixth.

Thady Gosden said: “Forest Of Dean and Harrovian are in good order.

“They both ran solid races last time out in the Winter Derby and that was a strong renewal of the race.

“They have been running through the winter to get them qualified for the race, given the fantastic prize-money on offer, and they deserve to be there.

“They both have similar profiles and it is hard to split them on the form. I guess we will find out more on Friday.”

James Doyle takes the mount on the Godolphin-owned Forest Of Dean, with Harrovian partnered by Robert Havlin, who said: “There is never much between Harrovian and Forest Of Dean, and my fella always runs his race.

“The track at Newcastle seemed to play to Forest Of Dean’s strengths when he won the qualifier, but then Harrovian has finished in front of him the two other times they’ve met this winter.

“The tactics in the Newcastle race probably played to Forest Of Dean’s strengths rather than Harrovian’s, so I might want to ride him a little bit differently. With six runners, it would be hard to say which one will finish in front of the other.”

The main challenge to the Gosden pair in the £200,000 feature – at least according to the betting – looks set to come from the David Marnane-trained Freescape, who has been plying his trade in Dubai since winning a handicap at Dundalk in December.

Marnane said: “Freescape looks very well after wintering in Dubai. He did not have a hard campaign out there, with just the three runs, and the Easter Classic has been in our minds since the back end of last year.

“He ran well enough in the mile race at Newcastle last year but I think he is pretty unexposed over this longer trip – he was just beaten in the Listed race at Dundalk in the autumn and then his handicap win was fairly impressive off a mark of 104.

“He ran well enough behind some good horses in Dubai, although his form would tell you that he is not as good on the turf. Friday will be competitive again but it looks a good spot for him and the prize-money is fantastic.”

Notre Belle Bete (second left) in winning action at Kempton
Notre Belle Bete (second left) in winning action at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

Notre Belle Bete represents Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy, with his trainer taking positives from his all-weather record which reads three wins, two second and two thirds from seven tries.

Balding said: “Notre Belle Bete has an excellent record on the all-weather. Stepping up in trip should be fine as he was strong at the finish over an extended mile last time. We have thought for a while that a mile and a quarter would be within his range and I think he has a lively each-way chance.”

Base Note runs for Simon and Ed Crisford, with the field completed by Mick Appleby’s United Front.

Arabian Storm geared up for Burradon test that could lead to Classic challenge

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Arabian Storm attempts to build on an impressive course victory as Classic aspirations are put to the test in the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes which kicks off Newcastle’s All-Weather Championships Finals Day action.

Andrew Balding’s charge was beaten a neck in a red-hot Newmarket maiden on debut in October before reappearing at Gosforth Park last month to register a taking three-length success and book his ticket to what looks a strong running of this one-mile Listed event.

The Kingman colt – who is out of owner Jeff Smith’s Juddmonte International-winning mare Arabian Queen – now looks to earn a return to the Rowley Mile for the Qipco 2000 Guineas on May 6, with connections hopeful they have a potentially smart operator on their hands.

“We’ve been very encouraged by his work at home and feel he is a very nice prospect going forward,” said Smith’s racing manager, David Bowe.

“We thought the Burradon was the right race for him as a trial and we go there reasonably confident we have the real McCoy, he seems to be a really nice horse.

“He has a Guineas entry and obviously we wouldn’t give him that without thinking he was a really nice horse, but the weekend will tell us exactly we need to know.

“But at this moment in time, judged on his home work and everything, we are confident we have a nice horse on our hands. Is he a Classic horse? Wouldn’t that be wonderful, but we’re hoping so.”

Charlie Johnston is doubly represented by Benacre, who signed off last year with back-to-back victories in nursery handicaps, and the Middleham Park Racing-owned Derby entry Dear My Friend.

Charlie Johnston saddles two in the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes
Charlie Johnston saddles two in the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

The twice-raced Flight Plan brings winning course form to the table for Karl Burke, while Edward Bethell’s Oviedo, Richard Fahey’s Rousing Encore and Kevin Ryan’s Chuzzlewit are others going into battle for the north in search of a share of the £100,000 prize-fund.

Richard Hannon won this in 2019 and this time relies on Dark Thirty, while a year later John and Thady Gosden landed the spoils with Megallan and look to have leading claims once again with Obelix.

A son of Sea The Stars, he makes his first appearance since bolting up by seven and a half lengths over the course and distance in September and is another in the line-up to hold an entry for the 2000 Guineas.

“Obelix won well over the course and distance at the back end of last year, although it was not the strongest novice,” said Thady Gosden.

“The Burradon is always a strong race but, in terms of ratings, he is right in there with the rest of them and this looks the right place to start him off.”

Charles Hills’ Galeron was last seen plundering the Goffs Million on a raiding mission to the Curragh, and connections are looking to this latest test to tee up a big year for the Teme Valley & Aura (Gas) Holdings Ltd-owned colt.

“We’ve got a number of plans and Friday will be the first step in guiding us which route to take,” explained Richard Ryan of Teme Valley.

“He was a clear work in progress last year it looked and has done very well physically over the winter. Charlie is mindful he is quite a tough horse and the race and overnight (trip) will benefit him for the rest of the season in terms of bringing him on and then we can make a firmer plan after Friday.

Galeron ridden by jockey Shane Foley (left) on their way to winning the Goffs Million at the Curragh
Galeron ridden by jockey Shane Foley (left) on their way to winning the Goffs Million at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He’s out of a Galileo mare and that would suggest if you can get seven on easy ground at the Curragh at two, you are more than likely going to get a mile at three.

“The draw has not been particularly kind – no one wants to be drawn stall one at Newcastle over a straight trip. Historically it is not the place to be but we’ll see where the pace is and take it from there.”

John Ryan’s consistent operator Tenjin is the mount of Darragh Keenan and completes the line-up.

Fellowes and Vadream on a ‘shot to nothing’ on Finals Day

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Charlie Fellowes is happy to roll the dice with Vadream and allow her to bid for a second big-race victory in less than a week in the BetUK All-Weather Sprint at Newcastle on Good Friday.

An impressive winner of last weekend’s Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on heavy ground, the five-year-old turns out just six days later for the All-Weather Championships Finals at Gosforth Park.

Fellowes admits only time will tell how much that Town Moor romp took out of his star mare, but views a tilt at this £150,000 prize as a “shot to nothing”.

“You never know until you go to the racetrack so we’ll see, but she is a remarkable filly who takes her racing incredibly well,” said the Newmarket handler.

“She’s put all the weight back on that she lost – she was actually heavier on Thursday morning when we put her on the scales than she was before her race last week.

“It’s a shot to nothing. We know that it’s a tough ask as she put in a career-best performance on bottomless ground last weekend and if it’s left a mark it’s going to be a big ask, but all the signs at home are that she is fresh and well and ready to rock and roll again.”

Chief among Vadream’s rivals is Mick Appleby’s fast-improving sprinter Annaf.

The Muhaarar colt is a dual winner at Newcastle and is three from three since the turn of the year, completing his hat-trick with a Listed success at Lingfield in February.

Annaf holds strong claims on Finals Day
Annaf holds strong claims on Finals Day (John Hoy)

Appleby said: “I would like to think he has a very good chance. He seems to be going from strength to strength this season and can hopefully take another step forward. Even though he has not grown much in the last year, he has definitely got a lot stronger.

“He is probably the best chance we have had of winning one of the big ones on Finals Day. Edraak ran very well in the race last year and, with a bit of luck, hopefully Annaf can do it.”

Diligent Harry, trained by Clive Cox, finished a neck second to Annaf in the Kachy Stakes at Lingfield and has since gone one better at Newcastle before an unsuccessful trip to France.

“Diligent Harry won nicely up at Newcastle and then we took him over to France for his third qualifying run but sadly the saddle slipped, so there was nothing we could do about that,” said Cox.

“I am pleased to say that he has been in good order since then. There are no negatives with the track, given that he is a course and distance winner, and I would be very hopeful that he can put his best foot forward.”

Ado McGuinness saddles Harry's Bar
Ado McGuinness saddles Harry’s Bar (PA)

Irish hopes are carried by Ado McGuinness’ consistent speedster Harry’s Bar, who steps back in distance after finishing third in Listed company over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton four weeks ago.

McGuinness said: “Harry’s Bar is in great form and I was very happy with is run at Wolverhampton behind two high-class horses in Berkshire Shadow and Angel Bleu.

“We are going back to a straight six furlongs, although I think he does prefer racing around a bend. There are not many other options for a horse like him, so we have to take our chance.

“He ran in the race last year and was a little disappointing but he had just come back from Dubai having had a tough winter campaign, whereas this time around he is nice and fresh.

“He worked up the Curragh the other day with Hodd’s Girl (also runs at Newcastle) and they were both very good.”