Horse Racing
Value Scope: Each way horseracing tips from Steve Jones for Saturday on ITV
It’s one of the biggest Saturday’s in the north east with the Northumberland Plate, aka the Pitmen’s Derby, the centrepiece and our man has a value tip
Go into the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate battle with an Army on your side.
SPARTAN ARMY (3.10) didn’t live up to his early promise over hurdles but he’s really found his niche since switching to all-weather marathon contests.
He rattled off a hat-trick of wins on artificial surfaces earlier in the year and he looks to have all the weapons needed to land this prestigious Newcastle handicap.
His excellent third behind progressive Prydwen on All-Weather Championships Finals day on Good Friday came over this course and distance.
He’s not been seen since finishing in midfield at Newbury in April when his busy spell probably caught up with him.
His trainer Alan King – successful with Trueshan in this race two years ago – has freshened him up with a two-month break and that should help him return to his peak form. Have 1pt each-way at 12-1. Plenty of bookies are paying out on six places with Sky Bet stretching to seven.
HAVEYOUMISSEDME (2.35) finished runner-up in the consolation race for the Plate – the Jenningsbet Festival Northumberland Vase – two years ago and he’s back for another crack.
He went on to win over this course and distance later that season. His record over track and trip now stands at one win and two seconds from just three attempts.
He finished runner-up in his most recent visit when making prolific all-weather winner The Craftymaster work for his seventh victory of the winter season.
Iain Jardine’s stayer needs to bounce back to form from a below-par effort at Musselburgh in April but he’s nowhere near as good on turf and the 1m4f distance was just too sharp. Have 1pt each-way at 16-1. Sky Bet is going five places.
There’s a decent field of young fillies for the Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Stakes.
HAVANA GILA (2.15) showed lots of promise despite running a bit keen when fifth behind Aviation Time, who went on to finish third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, on her debut on Kempton’s all-weather track.
She took a nice step forward when winning nicely at York dropped to 5f and she’ll appreciate returning to this longer trip. Have 1pt each-way at 12-1. Most bookies are paying out on four places.