Horse Power: Onesmoothoperator can win the Northumberland Plate again at Newcastle
ONESMOOTHOPERATOR can secure victory in the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (3.15pm) for a second successive year at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
The seven-year-old won the 'Pitmen's Derby' to give Newcastle-born trainer Brian Ellison a long-awaited first win in his 'home' race – the feature of the eight-race card at Gosforth Park. The last horse to win the Northumberland Plate twice was Tominator in 2011 and 2013 although in recent years very few horses have tried to win the prestigious two-mile handicap after their success with 2014 hero Angel Gabriel the most recent when he finished fourth, beaten less than two lengths, in 2015. And although Onesmoothoperator is 12lb higher than for his win in the North East 12 months ago and despite having scored just once more in eights starts since, he can triumph again.
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Ellison's seven-year-old, who also won the November Handicap over 1m4f at Doncaster in November 2023, has run well in several races around the globe since giving his trainer that special 'home' win. Onesmoothoperator won the Group Three Geelong Cup in Australia last October before running reasonably well to be 12th in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington the following month. He also finished seventh, third and fifth at Group Three and Group Two level in Meydan earlier this year. He was third to subsequent Ascot Gold Cup third Dubai Future in February and fifth in a Group Two contest over 1m4f the following month.
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He has clearly been aimed at a return to Gosforth Park, having been off the track since. This two-mile trip on the synthetic surface at Newcastle clearly brings the best out of Onesmoothoperator and despite carrying top weight he may be able to repeat his biggest career success of 12 months ago.
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Others in with a chance of victory include Irish raider, the Tony Martin-trained Zanndabad; James Owen's Chester Cup hero East India Dock; and Pappano – from the all-conquering Willie Mullins' stable.
SPYCATCHER can come out on top in a fascinating renewal of the Group Three Jenningsbet Chipchase Stakes (2.10pm). Liverpool FC fan Karl Burke's seven-year-old has been a solid performer at this level over recent seasons and won a similar contest, the Group Three Prix De Meautry Stakes at Deauville last August. He landed the Listed Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on his seasonal return and wasn't too far behind Ten Bob Tony stepped up to seven furlongs in the Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock Park last month. The drop back to six furlongs and in a race in which he was a neck runner-up two years ago, Spycatcher can return to winning ways.
James Fanshawe's Kind Of Blue, the Owen Burrows-trained Alyanaabi and Ferrous – from the Jack Channon stable – all rate as dangers to Spycather's hopes of success.
Sir Mark Prescott's winning machine GODSEND can bring up a five-timer in the Jenningsbet Festival Northumberland Vase Handicap (Consolation Race For The Northumberland Plate) (GBB Race) (2.40pm). The four-year-old has won five of his last six starts and just missed the cut for the Northumberland Plate. But in this consolation, following another victory over two miles on his seasonal return at Nottingham last month, Godsend can score again.
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STRIKE RED can bounce back and land his customary summer success in and win the Jenningsbet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap (1.40pm). Richard Fahey's six-year-old may not have won as much as he probably should, but invariably lands at least one big handicap a year. He scored at the Curragh in 2023 and at York last October. Strike Red has run well enough in three starts this season, including when fifth not beaten that far behind the aforementioned Ferrous over course and distance last month. Down to just 3lb higher than his last winning mark, he can go close to another victory.
Burke's NATIVE WARRIOR, second at Windsor on his most recent start, can go one better to win the Pertemps Network Handicap (3.45pm).
Others who can score at Gosforth Park are Andrew Balding's SANDS OF SPAIN in the Pertemps Education Network EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)) (4.25pm); the Ian Williams-trained HALIPHON in the Pertemps Education Network Handicap (Division One (5pm); and recent Redcar winner BILLY BATHGATE in the finale, the Pertemps Education Network Handicap (Division Two (5pm).
At York Liverpool FC fan and jockey William Buick could have a good day and he can partner Ed Bethell's recent Thirsk winner PABORUS to victory in the Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (2.25pm). Buick may have already had a winner on George Boughey's hat-trick-seeking CADARN in the opener, the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile Handicap (1.55pm).
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The Godolphin number one jockey may also triumph on Charlie Johnston's GRAVITAS in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (4.15pm) and the Charlie Appleby-trained COMMANDING OFFICER in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (3.40pm).
John and Sean Quinn's course and distance winner JM JUNGLE can score again in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash Handicap (3pm). While others who can triumph on the Knavesmire are Richard Fahey's course and distance winner YES I'M MALI in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sprint Handicap (5.25pm); and the David O'Meara-trained WESTERNESSE in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai For Feed Amateur Jockeys' Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (5.05pm).
At Chester Hugo Palmer's well-drawn course and distance winner FLAMING RIB – from the nearby Manor House Stables of former Liverpool FC and England striker Michael Owen – can return to action with victory the Manor Car Hire Handicap (3.05pm).
Others who can score on the Roodee are Johnston's GHAIYYA and CURRAN in the Horseradish Catering & Events Handicap (3.35pm) and the Going Is Good Handicap (4.45pm) respectively; the Charlie Fellowes-trained unbeaten hat-trick-seeking COSI BELLO in the John Smith's Handicap (4.10pm); and ANGEL OF ANFIELD, from the Tom Clover stable in the opener, the EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (2pm).
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Cheshire-based handler Palmer can also land the finale, the Next Up July Music Weekend EBF Fillies' Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (5.20pm) with PATAGONIA GIRL.
At Windsor Daniel and Claire Kubler's course and distance scorer ANDALEEP can go in again in the Michael Foster Memorial Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (3.25pm).
At the Curragh on Saturday, Aidan O'Brien's WHIRL can gain compensation for her narrow defeat to stable-mate Minnie Hauk in the Betfred Oaks at Epsom to get the better of chiefly the Andrew Balding's Kalpana – who was third in the Group One Tattesalls Stakes over course and distance last month – as she steps back down to 1m2f in the Group One Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (3.30pm).
The Joseph O'Brien-trained course and distance winner TRUSTYOURINSTINCT can also land the Group Three Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai International Stakes (2.55pm).
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At the Curragh on Sunday, O'Brien's LAMBOURN can be the latest Betfred Derby winner at Epsom to double up and land another Classic in the Group One Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (No Geldings) (4.10pm).
Wright Ones
NEWCASTLE
1.40pm Strike Red
2.10pm Spycatcher
2.40pm Godsend
3.15pm Onesmoothoperator (NAP)
3.45pm Native Warrior
4.25pm Sands Of Spain
5pm Haliphon
5.30pm Billy Bathgate
YORK
1.55pm Cadarn
2.25pm Paborus
3pm Jm Jungle
3.40pm Commanding Officer
4.15pm Gravitas
4.50pm Yes I'm Mali
5.25pm Westernesse
CHESTER
1.55pm Angel Of Anfield
2.25pm Circios
3.05pm Flaming Rib
3.40pm Ghaiyya
4.10pm Cosi Bello
4.45pm Curran
5.20pm Patagonia Girl
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WINDSOR
1.35pm Clipsham Noble
2.15pm Amorim
2.50pm Antrim
3.25pm Andaleep
4pm The Flying Seagull
4.35pm Lesson Of Life
5.10pm Milliethemollie
LINGFIELD
5.35pm Pigeon House
6.10pm Voix De Bocelli
6.45pm Hot Dancer
7.15pm India Love
7.45pm The Coffee Pod
8.15pm On A Vespa
8.45pm Nelson Rose
DONCASTER
5.50pm Many A Star
6.25pm Shavkat
7pm Blue Seeker
7.30pm Kawthar
8pm Billyb
8.30pm Endless Whisper
9pm Obito
CURRAGH
1.45pm Beautify
2.55pm Trustyourinstinct
3.30pm Whirl
SUNDAY'S NAP: Gentleman Joe (Curragh 5.55pm)
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