3 minute read
Royal Ascot winner Commissioned is a notable absentee from the acceptors for Saturday's historic John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and has the Melbourne Cup as his primary target.
Part of the Bloomfields dispersal after John Ferguson retired from training to concentrate on his new role as chief executive and racing manager for Godolphin, the six-year-old was snapped up by Nick Bradley - formerly of Middleham Park Racing - for £65,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland sale at Cheltenham in April.
He made his debut for his new owners and trainer Gordon Elliott in the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes at Ascot last Saturday and struck gold under Adam Kirby.
Bradley said: "When I went to the sale, he was the horse I wanted to buy. I paid a bit more than I wanted to for him, but it's been a few years since I've been as excited about a horse as I was about him.
"Saturday was obviously a great day and hopefully there's a lot to look forward to.
"We had him in the Plate but Gordon just wanted to give him 10 days on the easy list. The Goodwood Cup is a possibility, or we could go to York for either the Ebor or the Lonsdale Cup, but the Melbourne Cup is Plan A.
"He won't be going back over hurdles. He doesn't look like a hurdler to me."
The Northumberland Plate will be run on an artificial Tapeta surface for the first time since course executives decided to replace the turf course. It has not affected the popularity of the race, though, with 73 horses still engaged, and for the first time there will even be a consolation race for those who miss the cut.
Simon Crisford's Gang Warfare heads the weights, followed by Seimsos and Angel Gabrial.
Andrew Balding's Ballynanty, not seen since all-weather finals day, and Chester Cup one-two No Heretic and Nakeeta also feature.
Local trainer Brian Ellison will be desperate to win it with Seamour, while Tim Easterby's Haydock winner My Reward also holds claims.
As well as No Heretic, Nicky Henderson has left in Cardinal Walter, while Cayirli, second to Commissioned on Saturday, could still run for Seamus Durack.
Sir Michael Stoute's Dannyday and Roger Varian's Steve Rogers will be doing their best to take the prize to Newmarket
Nearly Caught, third last year to Quest For More and Max Dynamite, who both went on to prove themselves in Group class, is back again.
"He's running off the same mark as last year even though he's rated higher now, that is because he's rated slightly lower on the all-weather so that is a bonus," said trainer Hughie Morrison.
"The thing is he won't be as well handicapped as some of the others, he's been trying too hard.
"If he handles the Tapeta, I don't know, we'll find out. He's a very good horse and this has been the obvious target for him. We'll just have to hope for a decent draw now."
