Marshman aims to pull off a rare weight-carrying feat as he looks to defy a rating of 110 in the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap (3.35pm) over six furlongs.
Karl Burke’s five-year-old scored on his comeback at Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day and followed up with a dominant victory in the Listed BetUK Kachy Stakes at Lingfield Park.
Only Trueshan has shouldered a higher BHA rating to victory on the all-weather at Newcastle when defying a mark of 120 in the 2022 Northumberland Plate.
Two former winners of the race return for another crack, with defending champion Fivethousandtoone 3lb higher than last year and now in the care of Tim Easterby.
Diligent Harry bids to become the first three-time winner on Finals Day, having landed this race in 2023 and the 2021 Three-Year-Old Championships for Clive Cox.
James Fanshawe has two live players, with potential improver Heathcliff accompanied by Willem Twee, who was third in the G3 Chipchase Stakes at the course last summer.
We Never Stop (Kevin Ryan) bids to follow up a recent class two success at Southwell, a race in which Badri (Michael Herrington) was badly hampered.
Richard Spencer’s Run Boy Run went down by a neck to Marshman at Newcastle and has a 6lb pull in the weights, while Archie Watson’s Saint Lawrence is 1lb lower than when taking out the 2023 Wokingham at Royal Ascot.
Richard Fahey goes for a fourth win in the race with Golden Mind, who had Heathcliff, Fivethousandtoone and Coachello (Mark Loughnane) in behind when scoring at Kempton Park in February.
Apache Outlaw, who has only been out of the frame once in eight all-weather starts for Ado McGuiness, is one of two Irish-trained contenders alongside Daamberdiplomat for Johnny Murtagh. Multiple Newcastle scorer The Caltonian completes the field for Linda Perratt.
The view from connections
Karl Burke, trainer of Marshman, said: “He did a nice, easy piece of work on Tuesday morning. He is really fresh and well – and seems in better form than he was going into the Cammidge at Doncaster. If he turns up on his A game, I think he is capable of giving the weight away, especially on a surface he really enjoys.”
Clive Cox, trainer of Diligent Harry, said: “He has bounced out of his run at Southwell last time, when he was conceding a lot of weight to his opponents. We think we have him coming to the boil at the right time.”
Adam Ryan, assistant trainer of We Never Stop, said: “He has had a great winter and will go there full of confidence after his win at Southwell. This looks an obvious race to go for and hopefully he can end the season on a high.”
Alastair Donald of King Power Racing, who own Fivethousandtoone, said: “He has run three pretty eye-catching races this winter, with things not quite going his way. We know he likes the track and he comes here on a similar mark to last year. If he gets the breaks, I think he has a very solid chance.”
Tom Fanshawe, assistant trainer of Heathcliff and Willem Twee, said: “Both horses are in good shape. Heathcliff has had a couple of hard luck stories this winter. He was unlucky at Kempton when he was going to run a really good race, but he has come out of it well. This has been his target for a long time and we are pleased he got in. Willem Twee came back to form at Kempton the last day and has performed well at Newcastle before, having finished third in the G3 Chipchase Stakes last summer. I hope we have him peaking for this.”
Richard Spencer, trainer of Run Boy Run, said: “We receive a pull in the weights with Marshman, for all he has clearly improved since we last met. Our horse likes the track and should have an each-way chance in what looks a very competitive race.”
Michael Herrington, trainer of Badri, said: “He is a hold-up horse and that leaves you vulnerable to trouble in running, as was the case last time. He has a good record at Newcastle and should have an each-way chance.”
Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Daamberdiplomat, said: “He ran well on his comeback at Dundalk. He is on his highest ever mark in a handicap, so he will need a career best, but Newcastle suits hold up horses and I am keen to try him at the track.”
Ado McGuinness, trainer of Apache Outlaw, said: “While he ran well on turf at the Curragh the other day, he is a better horse on the all-weather. All his owners are English-based and they are really looking forward to having a runner at Newcastle. He is a solid horse and, if they go a fast pace, that will suit him.”
