Lightly raced six-year-olds Glen Buck and Old Harrovian head the betting as a quality field takes aim at the BetUK Easter Classic (4.07pm) over 10 furlongs, highlight of Finals Day at Newcastle on Good Friday, April 18.
Glen Buck bested Old Harrovian at Southwell in January and was even more impressive in a 12-furlong handicap at the course last time out, taking his record for Roger Varian to four wins from five starts.
Old Harrovian underlined the form in similarly emphatic fashion at Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day, teeing himself up for a £15,000 bonus in the process. His trainer Andrew Balding is the most successful handler on Finals Day with eight wins.
The form of last year’s BetUK Easter Classic is represented, with runner-up Penzance (Mick Appleby) and French challenger Hooking (Philippe Decouz) returning for another tilt.
Progressive fillies Charlotte’s Web and Power Of Destiny add another dimension to the lineup for Simon & Ed Crisford and Ralph Beckett. The duo were separated by a short-neck as they finished first and third in the BetMGM Winter Oaks earlier this season.
Smart Hero is an unknown quantity over middle distances for James Tate, having won both of his starts at Wolverhampton since switching from sprinting.
Jane Chapple-Hyam has two chances, with G3 scorer Claymore joined by one-time Derby hopeful Salamanca, who caught the eye recently in his prep at Chelmsford.
Top weight Savvy Victory (Sean Woods), Dark Moon Rising (Kevin Ryan) and Paradias (Alan King) have all won class two prizes this term.
Dream Harder (Ian Williams), who was third behind Glen Buck last time out, and Andaleep (Daniel & Claire Kubler) also run.
The view from connections
Roger Varian, trainer of Glen Buck, said: “This has been his target for a while. Hopefully, he is ready to run a big race. We know he stays a mile and a half, but I think we might get away with the drop back in trip at Newcastle. It is a stiff track and you have to get the trip well, plus I think he is adaptable enough.”
Andrew Balding, trainer of Old Harrovian, said: “He won very well at the trials meeting, but the handicapper had his say and it will be interesting to see if he can defy a 9lb rise. We think we have him in good shape.”
James Tate, trainer of Smart Hero, said: “Smart Hero bolted up at Wolverhampton on his first try over this sort of trip, after which we decided to give him a break with this race in mind. Clifford Lee gets on well with him and, if he can get him to relax, I think he could be a danger to everyone in the race.”
Philippe Decouz, trainer of Hooking, said: “Hooking is in the form of his life, even better than he was at this time last year. He was beaten last time out but the winner No Lunch is a top-class horse with remarkable ability for the all-weather. These big English handicaps have very good prize money, but the competition is incredibly strong. It is excellent fun and an interesting challenge.”
Chris Dixon of The Horse Watchers, who own Penzance, said: “He got back to winning ways last time out and we felt he needed to do that to guarantee his place here, as he had slipped down the weights. He is a horse who is best kept busy, so he went to Southwell last Friday and worked nicely. There might be something better handicapped than him, but he will run his race for sure.”
Simon Crisford, co-trainer of Charlotte’s Web, said: “I am very happy with her. She has been training well and this race has been the plan all along. I suppose you would always prefer to run against your own sex, but we think she is in good shape.”
Alastair Donald of King Power Racing, who own Power Of Destiny, said: “She sneaks in at the bottom with a nice low weight. She was unlucky not to win the Winter Oaks, losing out by a nose and a short-head. We think she is progressive.”
Alan King, trainer of Paradias, said: “We gave him a mid-winter break and he was just ready to start back at Kempton the other week, when I thought he ran a promising race. He has come out of it well and hopefully that sets him up nicely for this.”
Adam Ryan, assistant trainer of Dark Moon Rising, said: “He has been ultra consistent during the winter. He has form at the track and enjoys coming off a strong gallop, which he could well get here. We think we have him going there in great form.”
