Sir Les Patterson leads the Irish challenge on Finals Day as he aims to defy top weight and a rating of 107 in a red-hot Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap (3.35pm) over six furlongs.
Trained by Stephen Thorne, the five-year-old has looked electric in his two come-from-behind victories at Dundalk over the winter, with the handicapper hiking him 17lb as a result.
The Irish contingent also includes Robson de Aguair’s Valiant Force, who counts a second at the 2023 Breeders’ Cup among his notable efforts, and the Ado McGuinness-trained City House, who has a 7lb pull in the weights with Sir Les Patterson.
Several of the British-trained contenders have met already this season, notably in a valuable handicap at Southwell on New Year’s Day, when Pocklington prevailed for Geoff Oldroyd.
Having finished an eye-catching third in the same race, Lakers filled the same position for Kevin Philippart de Foy in the Lingfield Park trial as he split Ferrous and El Bodon (Jane Chapple-Hyam) for the minor places.
Alongside Ferrous, Jack Channon has another live contender in Sarab Star (pictured), who reverts to this distance for the first time since the 2024 G2 Mill Reef Stakes after three progressive efforts over seven furlongs.
Marshman was a creditable third under top weight last year for Karl Burke and is now 5lb lower in the handicap, while Tim Easterby’s Fivethousandtoone is 2lb better off than when winning the race in 2024.
Other runners to note include the James Fanshawe-trained Heathcliff, who delivered a career best last time out to take second in Listed company, and handily weighted course and distance victor Wiltshire for William Haggas.
Last year’s 3YO final victor Berkshire Whisper, trained by Andrew Balding, bids to emulate Diligent Harry as a winner of both races. So Darn Hot completes the field for Ed Walker.
Coul Angel (Mick Appleby) and Heavenly Heather (Tracy Waggott) are the reserves.
The view from connections
Stephen Thorne, trainer of Sir Les Patterson, said: “His performance the last day was frighteningly good, because we felt he was just ready to start back and would take a big step forward from it. The handicapper did not miss him, which means he will have to lump top weight, but he is relatively unexposed under these conditions. It will take the performance of a Group horse to win but, in fairness, his work lately is showing that.”
Jack Channon, trainer of Ferrous and Sarab Star, said: “Sarab Star is a lightly raced horse and, I have made no bones about it, I think he is very talented. This race has been the target since Wolverhampton, when he showed a lot of speed over seven furlongs. We dropped him in last time with this race in mind, as it was only two weeks out and I did not want him to have a burnup with Mount Athos and leave his race at Kempton. We think a stiff six will suit, it is just whether he has the turn of foot to win a race like this, but we are excited to run him. Ferrous ran a cracker in the Kachy Stakes on his first run back. He was just pipped in a handicap at Lingfield a month later and then we had to run him in the Lady Wulfruna to get him qualified. A stiff six furlongs really suits him, as he showed when winning a nice handicap over the course and distance last year off 102. He is 3lb higher now but is a proven all-weather horse and will be a danger to anyone on the day.”
Karl Burke, trainer of Marshman, said: “He is a tricky horse to catch right but he goes there fresh and well. I thought it was an encouraging performance in the Listed race at Wolverhampton last time. Hopefully, he will put up a good show.”
Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of El Bodon, said: “He is in very good order. Rossa Ryan is booked to ride, so that’s always a positive. I cannot fault what the horse has done this season, even in defeat at Lingfield last time. I think the track at Newcastle will suit him better and I can see him finishing in the first four.”
Tom Fanshawe, assistant trainer of Heathcliff, said: “It is going to be harder for him off 10lb higher after his personal best at Wolverhampton, but he seems in the form of his life – and it is a tightly knit field in terms of ratings. He has winning form at the track and hopefully can acquit himself well.”
Andrew Balding, trainer of Berkshire Whisper, said: “He has been gelded since disappointing on his most recent start at the trial meeting. We know everything about this test will suit him, given what he did in the 3YO race last year. If he bounces back to his best, he should have a good each-way chance.”
William Haggas, trainer of Wiltshire, said: “We have aimed him for this all season, given he has performed well at the track before. He needs to improve on getting out of the stalls properly, so we have done some work on that. He started the season a bit high in the handicap with a mark of 103 but is down to 96 now. Hopefully, he jumps better, which should enable him to run better.”
Ado McGuinness, trainer of City House, said: “He only joined us at the start of the winter, so we are still learning about him, but I thought his second the last day was a nice step forward. We have a big swing in the weights with Sir Les Patterson, which should put us in the mix, and he has run well at the track before.”
Ed Walker, trainer of So Darn Hot, said: “He is a lovely horse we inherited from Kevin Philippart de Foy. Kevin did a great job with him, getting him to climb the handicap ranks. He has run some solid races for us, although things are tougher for him now. Ashley Lewis’ claim will help and, while I think seven furlongs might be his trip, a strong pace and stiff six will hopefully see him bang there.”
