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Racing Newcastle provides plenty of action this afternoon

THE famous Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2.05) is the big race of the day with the consolation event at 1.30 and the nap actually comes in the latter in the form of Euchen Glen (nap).

Jim Goldie’s charge is very much a hostage to fortune as he needs a fast run race and finally got that scenario when winning the Winton Cup for the second year running at Ayr last week, when he came from fully 30 lengths off the pace exiting the back stretch at the West of Scotland track to win a shade cosily in the end.

A 5lbs penalty seems very fair in the circumstances and as long as they don’t go a dawdle in this two-mile affair, the five-year-old could land the nap ahead of the likes of last year’s winner Dannyday and the veteran performer and 15th in last year’s main event Suegioo.

As far as the feature race is concerned there has been an almighty gamble on the Cesarewitch winner Withold and he is obviously worthy of plenty of respect, but further down the weights the progressive Amazing Red looks the value at around 7/1.

He absolutely bolted in at Newmarket last time out under Frankie Dettori and he also only has a 5lbs penalty to contend with here. The cream on the cake is that he has some fair form at this track.

The Group Three Chipchase Stakes at 12.55 could go the way of the three-year-old Never Back Down (nb).

Hugo Palmer’s charge is a seriously quick horse and made all the running to land the Listed Carnarvon Stakes last time out. The son of Kodiac doesn’t need to lead to show his best form and can give PJ McDonald another big winner.

Later on, Prying Pandora may make the most of her current lenient mark by landing the class four, mile-and-a-quarter handicap at 4.25.

Richard Fahey’s charge has dropped from a high rating of 81 less than a year ago down to 68 and has solid each-way claims in this competitive little affair.

The Irish Derby at Curragh at 5.15 obviously reverts around Aidan O’Brien (four of the 12 runners) and whether they once again play as a team or not, which the stewards seemingly allow them to get away with time and time again.

Of course all eyes will be on the beaten Epsom Derby favourite Saxon Warrior who seemed to be flustered at the Surrey track and although he didn’t get the best of runs/rides, still didn’t pick up when finally in the clear as a supposed champion should do.

He could very well leave that form way behind here, but at odds-on the value against him could be the strong staying Dee Ex Bee (second at Epsom). He should relish an out and out gallop here which could be provided ironically by the O’Brien squad.

Of his other runners, Delano Roosevelt was given a truly horrendous ride in the King Edward VII Stakes, but we don’t know whether he will be used as a “pacemaker” or not, while best of the rest could well be his conqueror at the Royal meeting Old Persian.

On the same card, Battle of Jericho may see off his elders in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Dash Stakes at 2.15, while returning to seven furlongs for the first time in a long while, Petticoat may go close in the fillies handicap at 4.00.

Finally, back on the mainland have a second look at both Grandee in the 3.35 at Windsor and War Glory at 4.45.

The last named makes plenty of appeal on his return to a fast turf surface for the first time in 12 months.

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