Even individuals who have little interest in the sport of kings look out their best threads before heading for Newcastle on its big day of the year.
Even individuals who have little interest in the sport of kings look out their best threads before heading for Newcastle on its big day of the year.
The Northumberland Plate is held in high regard by many of the inhabitants of England's north-east, and rightly so.
Now, leading trainer Henry Cecil is likely to send Ajaan in a bid for some compensation on Saturday afternoon after a narrow defeat in the Chester Cup.
The five-year-old won twice in the early part of last season but appeared to lose his way having disappointed in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The break seemed to have done him good when he was beaten just a neck by Daraahem on his comeback in Chester's feature, but Alan Cooper, racing manager to the owners, the Niarchos family, said the animal's participation on Saturday depends on the weather.
"He's all set for the Northumberland Plate, providing the ground is favourable," said Cooper. "It can't be fast for him as he has to have good ground with a bit of ease in it.
"We were absolutely delighted with his Chester run, and if he can build on that, he should be competitive at the weekend. How-ever, we'll have to see what the weather does.
"Looking at the forecast, it looks as though there is going to be a lot rain on the western side of the Pennines but I'm not sure about the east. We just have to keep our fingers crossed.
"Last season, we ran him at Royal Ascot on ground that wasn't favourable, and I think it took him a little bit longer to get over that than we perhaps realised.
"This season the ground will dictate his programme."
There was some bad news yesterday for Richard Hughes, with the leading rider set to miss the July Cup meeting at Newmarket having picked up a six-day ban (July 6-11) for careless riding at Windsor on Monday night.
Hughes won the maiden on Saturn Girl, and while the winner was allowed to keep the race despite a long stewards' inquiry, the jockey was banned.
The thing is, the suspension could have major repercussions for Hughes as Paco Boy, the very impressive winner of the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot last week, is still under consideration for the feature race of the meeting.
On the subject of Royal Ascot, Ouqba is likely to bid for more big-race glory at Glorious Goodwood next month.
The three-year-old was one of three winners for trainer Barry Hills at the big meeting as he swooped fast and late to win the Jersey Stakes and supplement his win in the Free Handicap earlier in the season.
Hills' son and assistant, Charlie, feels that seven furlongs is the colt's ideal trip, meaning the Betfair Cup on July 28 is next on his agenda.
"Ouqba will probably go to the Cup race as he wouldn't have a penalty for that and seven furlongs is obviously perfect for him," said Hills.
"He's come out of Ascot in good form. He looks well and didn't lose much weight so we couldn't be happier with him."
Finally, trainer Nicky Henderson yesterday spoke of his disappointment, having been found in breach of the rules of racing in relation to the running of The Queen's Moonlit Path at Huntingdon earlier this year.
The animal was sixth in the mares' race on February 19, after which she tested positive for tranexamic acid, an anti-bleeding drug, which contravened BHA Rule 200.
Henderson said: "I am obviously very disappointed with the decision and we are now awaiting the written reasons for the BHB's findings, after which we will be able to discuss further with our legal advisers."
