Top weight Chancellor attempts to break John & Thady Gosden’s Finals Day duck in a fiercely competitive edition of the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap (3.00pm).
The Clarehaven outfit has saddled 15 runners across the six championship finals without success, including seven beaten favourites or joint-favourites.
Chancellor harboured Group race aspirations last spring and the Cheveley Park Stud homebred will need to live up to that if he is to overcome a rating of 109, which would be the highest mark carried to victory in a Finals Day handicap.
The son of Kingman bested Tyrrhenian Sea by a length to post a career best in the Listed BetMGM Tandridge Stakes at Southwell in February, although he now concedes 3lb to Roger Varian’s contender on the back of a neck defeat in the G3 Midnite Winter Derby.
Fellow four-year-olds Blue RC and The Lost King have untapped potential. Blue RC has been kept fresh by James Tate since scoring at Southwell on New Year’s Day, while Andrew Balding’s The Lost King is up 5lb to 97 for last month’s BetMGM Lincoln Trial success.
The Lincoln Trial form received a boost courtesy of William Haggas’ First Principle, who defeated another progressive performer Dosman (Oli Rix) in a valuable handicap at the same course recently.
The 2025 Mile winner Storm Star and third Apiarist are among four contenders returning for another tilt. Consistent duo Popmaster and Nikovo bid to improve on their fifth and sixth place finishes for Ed Walker and Michael Herrington.
Apiarist arrives on a career-high mark for Kevin Ryan thanks to his AWC Trials Day victory at Lingfield Park, while Witch Hunter has enjoyed several notable wins at Newcastle for Richard Hannon, including the trial in January.
The Karl Burke-trained Flight Plan is 6lb lower than when winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup in May. Former Aga Khan runner Shafdar is a lightly raced contender for Ian Williams at the foot of the weights, while Rogue Encore completes the field for Peter Chapple-Hyam.
Runners chasing a £15,000 bonus:
Apiarist
Witch Hunter
The view from connections
Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Cheveley Park Stud, owner of Chancellor, said: “Following on from wind surgery and a gelding operation, he has put together four nice performances over the winter. We hoped he would win the Winter Derby and it was a shame he got touched off there, although it was another solid run. It looks very competitive, but the stiff mile should suit our horse and he goes there in good order.”
James Tate, trainer of Blue RC, said: “Following his Southwell win, we knew he would qualify for this and decided to put him away. He is a progressive horse who, on the figures, has improved with every start. The mile at Southwell was the stiffest test of stamina he has faced so far, which appeared to suit, and I am hoping the straight mile at Newcastle could eke out a bit more improvement. It will need to, though, as it looks a high-class renewal.”
Andrew Balding, trainer of The Lost King and Storm Star, said: The Lost King won the Lincoln Trial nicely and is still a potentially well-handicapped horse, although he will need to be as it looks a strong race. Storm Star won this last year and has shown his liking for Newcastle on other occasions as well. While he was a bit disappointing last time in a Listed race, he seems well at home and should have a solid chance.”
William Haggas, trainer of First Principle, said: “He has come out of Wolverhampton fine. I ran him there because I was afraid he might not get in here, so I am pleased that it has worked out. This looks a hugely competitive race, and he only scraped home last time, but he is a genuine horse and would not be without hope.”
Richard Hannon, trainer of Witch Hunter, said: “He is a grand horse, who loves Newcastle. All those big races on the straight course are not complete without him. He has been a star for us down the years and has shown again this winter that he is still more than capable of competing in races like this.”
Ed Walker, trainer of Popmaster, said: “He is in flying form. He is a bit of a legend who has been around for a while now. He is very robust, which allows us to keep him busy, and is a joy to have in the yard. He is very consistent on the all-weather, whereas he can be hit and miss on the grass. It is hard to say he is well handicapped at his age, but Ashley Lewis takes 5lb off and I would not be surprised to see them pick up some good prize money.”
Michael Herrington, trainer of Nikovo, said: “This looks a very strong race, even with the French horse not coming over. Newcastle is Nikovo’s favourite track, as he showed again last time. He is on the same mark as last year when he finished sixth and, if he can pick up some place money, I would be delighted.”
Karl Burke, trainer of Flight Plan, said: “He has been working very well. We were disappointed with him in Dubai, but he ran well over a mile and a quarter at Lingfield the other day on his first run back. I think the stiff mile at Newcastle will suit him better.”
