Fahey to be crowned Pitmen’s Derby king
Tomorrow’s Northumberland Plate (3.45pm) looks the ideal race for owner Dr Marwan Koukash to unleash his team of ‘Gabrials’.
Gabrial’s King, Gabrial’s Star and last year’s first two home Angel Gabrial and Suegioo make up a four-pronged attack on the £200,000 purse.
‘The Good Doctor’ will be confident of a bold showing from all of his team and I’m keen on the chances of GABRIAL’S KING in the two mile contest.
His two most recent pieces of form behind Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris look very respectable, especially his cracking fourth place in the Betway Chester Cup when he was hampered on the turn for home.
Trainer Richard Fahey can have no complaints about my selection’s handicap mark of 93 when you consider Trip To Paris is now rated 113.
He holds a big each-way chance and can be backed at 10/1 with Betway.
Another who could be better than his mark, not least because the yard is in flying form, is the Mark Johnston-trained NOTARISED.
The four-year-old only carries a 5lb penalty for last week’s impressive Goodwood win and he looks on an upward curve.
Although it’s not a given that the son of Authorized will stay the trip, he’s likely to be given a typically positive ride from Andrew Elliott as the pair are well-drawn in stall two.
I’ll be backing him at 14/1 with Betway as he’s likely to take plenty of catching up the home straight.
Earlier in the day, I like the chances of DANZENO winning the Group Three Chipchase Stakes (2.00pm) for a second successive year.
His win 12 months ago came on only his fifth start and the four-year-old has surely improved further since.
His seasonal reappearance in the Temple Stakes was solid, finishing fourth behind the high class Pearl Secret, and he looks certain to strip fitter tomorrow afternoon.
Remember that run was over five furlongs and the step back up will suit.
Immediately before the Plate, Ed Dunlop’s ZARWAAN can strike in the seven furlong handicap (3.10pm).
Connections will be desperate for the forecast rain to arrive (he was ruled out of last weekend’s Wokingham as the ground was too fast) and, if it does, he’ll be hard to beat off his current mark.
This opportunity looks far easier than the one he faced in either the Victoria Cup or the Betway Lincoln.
@BillEsdaile
▀ Pointers…
DANZENO 2.00pm Newcastle (tomorrow)
ZARWAAN 3.10pm Newcastle (tomorrow)
GABRIAL’S KING e/w 3.45pm Newcastle (tomorrow)
NOTARISED e/w 3.45pm Newcastle (tomorrow)