Punters have it on a plate
Punters have a host of meetings to pick from this week with both quantity and quality on offer at most venues.
Carlisle and Newcastle have some of the biggest days in their calendars with the former staging the Tote Credit Club Cumberland Plate and the Persimmon Homes Carlisle Bell on Wednesday.
The two races each have a total prize fund of £20,000 (€30,500) so competitive contests are guaranteed.
Newcastle kick-off their three-day Northumberland Plate fixture the following day, with the £30,000 (€45,700) Journal Handicap and the ‘Mini Plate’ Handicap Stakes the pick of the action.
The emphasis is very much on speed at Friday’s evening meeting with the Northern Rock Gosforth Park Cup, a five-furlong race with £35,000 (€53,000) in added prize-money, the main event.
Saturday sees the famous John Smith’s-sponsored ‘Pitmens’ Derby’ take place over two miles.
Philip Hobbs’ Unleash made the successful switch from hurdling for this race last year and it is mark Johnston’s Gold Cup third Darasim who heads the 76 entries at this stage.
There is some really good racing on the undercard too, with the Group Three Kroenbourg 1664 Chipchase Stakes and the EBF Hoppings Stakes among the supporting events.
Newmarket also race on Friday and Saturday and they too have some decent fare on offer.
The White Fen Fillies’ Conditions Stakes is a fine starting point on their Friday evening meeting, but Saturday’s card has black-type action.
The Group Three Criterion Stakes over seven furlongs is the richest race of the day with £50,000 (€76,200) up for grabs, while the Fred Archer Stakes and the Empress Stakes, both Listed events, also take place.
Come Sunday, all eyes will be focused on the Curragh where Vodafone Derby winner North Light will bid to follow up in the Budweiser-sponsored Irish equivalent.
The Anheuser Busch Railway Stakes is also on the card and a future Classic contender could emerge in this juvenile trial.
Fixtures (FLAT in capitals):
Monday: CHEPSTOW (evening), MUSSELBURGH, NOTTINGHAM, WINDSOR (evening).
Tuesday: BEVERLEY, BRIGHTON, NEWBURY (evening), Newton Abbot (evening).
Wednesday: BATH (evening), CARLISLE, KEMPTON (evening), SALISBURY, Worcester.
Thursday: HAMILTON (evening), LEICESTER evening, NEWCASTLE, SALISBURY, THIRSK.
Friday: FOLKESTONE, Market Rasen, NEWCASTLE (evening), NEWMARKET (evening), SOUTHWELL.
Saturday: CHESTER, DONCASTER (evening), LINGFIELD (evening), NEWCASTLE (CH4), NEWMARKET (CH4), WINDSOR.
Sunday: Uttoxeter,
