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Horse Racing

Zoffee can be a plate smasher

June 2023

Zoffee can take a step up on last year's effort at Newcastle by winning the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap on Saturday.

Hugo Palmer's charge missed the cut for the main event in 2022 but gained adequate compensation in landing the consolation Vase race in fine style instead, pulling two and a quarter lengths clear - a margin that was only increasing at the line.

He triumphed that day off a mark of 84 but following a 6lb hike, he found life a bit tougher and could not get his head in front, although he posted sound placed efforts at both Newmarket and York before taking fourth in the Cesarewitch on his final start.

The seven-year-old kicked off the current campaign off a mark of 93, throwing down an excellent Chester Cup challenge and only just being pipped a neck by Metier at the line before another fine run in the Ascot Stakes, where he finished sixth.

Two and a half miles might not be his ideal trip, so dropping back here and back on the Newcastle all-weather surface, he makes plenty of appeal in what appears an open year.

Hadrianus is the pick in the Vase this time around, switching right back in class after some difficult assignments.

Beaten just under a length in Listed company at Epsom in April, Hadrianus then suffered a heavy defeat in third in the Chester Vase and found Leger favourite Gregory too good in a Goodwood Listed heat after that.

That rival again was far too good at Royal Ascot last week, as Hadrianus trailed home 11th in the Queen's Vase and while he is obviously some way short of Group-race company, he still looks the class act in this and is favoured at the weights.

Tiber Flow boasts a fine all-weather record for William Haggas and the JenningsBet Chipchase Stakes could be his moment to shine.

The four-year-old has won three of his four starts on artificial surfaces, including two novice victories at this track and a second on the 2022 All-Weather Finals Day, while also proving up to Listed level on the turf at Newbury last year.

He has not won since that race last May, but two starts this term have been encouraging, coming home fourth in the Abernant and then chasing home the ill-fated Creative Force at Haydock.

Tiber Flow has a fitness edge over likely favourite Brad The Brief and he can make it count.

Haggas can also be on the mark nearer to home as Aldaary returns to action in the Cavani Menswear Fashion Face-Off Frenzy Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.

Winner of the Balmoral Handicap at the end of 2021, he looked set for a big year when securing a three-and-a-half-length Listed verdict at Haydock last May but that proved to be his only start and he once again returns from a lay off here.

However, he has shown he runs well fresh and with some ease in the ground, he can pick up where he left off.

New London returns to the fray in the Listed Cavani Menswear Sartorial Sprint Fred Archer Stakes after last being spied when coming home second in the St Leger.

Given the Doncaster distance seemed to find him out, it makes sense for Charlie Appleby to return his charge to 12 furlongs for his seasonal bow and he proved pretty effective at the distance when winning the Gordon Stakes last term.

He is closely matched with Al Aasy, but that rival does not appear to be totally straightforward, so New London rates a safer proposition.

Star Of Mystery can make it a double for the Moulton Paddocks team in the Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes.

An 11-length winner at Haydock, it would probably not be too wise to take that margin literally as she had the best track position, but nevertheless it was an impressive win and she is bred to be top class. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

CHESTER: 14.57 Si Si Senor, 15.32 Scintillante, 16.07 Cuban Breeze, 16.42 Divine Libra, 17.17 Boniato, 17.52 El Borracho.

CURRAGH: 14.40 City Of Troy, 15.15 Matrika, 15.50 Parting Glass, 16.25 Comhra, 17.00 Al Riffa, 17.35 Believe In Science, 18.10 Ghost Dance, 18.40 Marvelosa.

DONCASTER: 19.20 Queen's Company, 19.55 Kaidu, 20.30 Squeaker, 21.00 Solar Orbiter, 21.30 Cairn Gorm, 22.00 Desert Voice.

LINGFIELD: 18.30 Papa Ricco, 19.05 Handel, 19.40 Pink Lily, 20.15 Queues Likely, 20.45 Regal Envoy, 21.15 Nibras Rainbow, 21.45 Senor Pockets.

NEWCASTLE: 13.20 Magical Spirit, 13.55 Tiber Flow, 14.30 Hadrianus, 15.05 Zoffee, 15.40 Zip, 16.15 Tan Rapido, 16.50 Nobel, 17.25 The Dancing Poet.

NEWMARKET: 13.40 Star Of Mystery, 14.15 New London, 14.50 ALDAARY (NAP), 15.25 Upscale, 16.00 Dora Milaje, 16.35 Spring Fever, 17.10 Dog Fox.

WINDSOR: 15.10 Who Loves You Baby, 15.45 Commander Crouch, 16.20 Jimmy Frankham, 16.55 Peace Of Mine, 17.30 City Streak, 18.05 Ferrous.

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