Connections of Distinction are hoping the six-year-old will handle the rain-softened ground tomorrow when he bids to justify ante-post favouritism in the Lady O Goodwood Cup.

Devon trainer Rod Millman and jockey Alan Munro have built up a highly-successful partnership this season and they plundered their biggest prize to date when Sergeant Cecil ran out a convincing winner of the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle today.

Far Pavilions is now as short as 5-2 favourite with Ladbrokes and William Hill ahead of the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday.

Dave Morris is hopeful of a good run from Mamcazma in the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday.

Punters have latched on to Martin Pipe’s Don Fernando as they look towards the big betting race of the weekend, the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.