Multiple Stakes winner Kolossal bids to rediscover her best form in the Free Bets With BetUK Bet Club Handicap (4.15pm) over an extended 12 furlongs, highlight of the opening All-Weather Championships fixture at Newcastle on Tuesday, October 22.
Kolossal enjoyed a successful campaign on the continent last year, picking up G3 prizes in Germany and Italy as well as finishing second at G2 level, before changing hands for €200,000 in December.
Now with Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne, the six-year-old was not disgraced on her UK debut as she finished eighth in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot.
The daughter of Outstrip has been sidelined since coming home seventh in the G2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock Park in July.
Osborne said: “Kolossal ran an encouraging race at Royal Ascot, given she had top weight and it was her first start of the year.
“She was not quite up to it next time out at Haydock, in a race that has worked out well. She has had a few little issues since then, which is why we have not been able to run her, but she is fit and ready to go now.
“She is not a bad mare and runs here off a mark of 101. If she was competitive in the Duke Of Edinburgh off 105, I would like to think that she will be competitive here, especially with Will Carver’s 3lb claim.”
The opposition includes William Haggas’ lightly raced three-year-old Dramatic Star, who has been gelded since disappointing as favourite in the Melrose Handicap at York.
Charlie Johnston will be looking to better his third behind Mick Appleby and Tony Carroll in last season’s All-Weather Trainers’ Championship. The Middleham trainer saddles La Pulga, who made the frame in three Racing League handicaps in August, and Capital Theory, a winner at Hamilton earlier this year.
The 2022 Old Newton Cup victor Get Shirty (David O’Meara) returns to middle distances after tackling staying trips on his last four starts, while Marhaba The Champ (Kevin Ryan) looks to build on an improved fourth at Ayr’s Western Meeting last month.
King Lear makes his second all-weather appearance for George Boughey, with his first start in this sphere yielding a close second in a Racing League handicap at Southwell.
Listed scorer Chichester (Lucinda Russell) brings in some strong course form, most notably a second-place finish in the All-Weather Mile Championships on Good Friday in 2023.
The George Baker-trained Lucander had a successful campaign in Bahrain last winter and makes his first appearance since contesting the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Elsewhere on the card, Badri bids for a fourth course success in the Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap (5.55pm) over five furlongs. Michael Herrington’s runner finished seventh at Ascot earlier this month, in a race he won last year.
A full field of 14 also features Jenever (Jessica Macey), who was fourth in the Ayr Silver Cup last time out, Musselburgh scorer Cover Point (Julie Camacho) and Doncaster winner Harvanna (Karl Burke).
Promising filly Marama (William Haggas) looks to defy a penalty in the 30 In Free Bets With BetUK Novice Stakes (4.50pm) over 10 furlongs, having scored by seven lengths at Chester last month.
