NEWCASTLE’S feature flat day saw a 33/1 shock winner of the Northumberland Plate as Nicholas T (101) found a turn of foot that belied his age to run down the entire field and deny the gallant front-running effort of Hochfeld (101).

Any suspicion there was a pace collapse is dispelled as comparing the finishing effort of Jim Goldie’s nine-year-old with Chil Chil (110) who won the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes shows the veteran son of Rail Link to have finished off just 0.6 seconds slower than Andrew Balding’s 106-BHA-rated sprinter.

Newmarket

At Newmarket, Glorious Journey (111) added to his already impressive record on the July course when winning the Criterion Stakes. Although the eye-catching performance on the closing sectionals was that of Inspiral (80+) who made a winning debut in the opening fillies’ maiden.

The overall time of the race was much slower than the listed fillies’ race won by System (91), but the daughter of Frankel posted a closing sectional of 34.09 seconds that Glorious Journey (34.39 seconds) could not match.

Eyecatchers of the week

Inveigle, Friday, June 25th, Yarmouth – (91+) travelled strongly in rear and, even though Callum Shepherd delayed his challenge passing the furlong pole, the son of Dark Angel still posted a similar closing sectional to the five-furlong sprinters on the card.

Encountered, Friday, June 25th, Doncaster – (90+) showed the benefit of his debut at Haydock as Daniel Muscutt kept it simple and made every yard of the running in a swift time.

Free Wind, Friday, June 25th, Doncaster – (92+) has been brought along steadily and looks a pattern-class filly in the making. Once rider Robert Havlin asked a serious question the daughter of Galileo found plenty to post the best combined overall time and finishing sectional of the day.

Strawberry Rock, Saturday, June 26th, Windsor – (91+) stayed on strongly when challenged and recorded a closing sectional of 35.92 seconds that compares favourably with listed race winner Century Dream (35.35 seconds) when the extra distance covered is considered.