Home / Horse Racing / Harlestone Times Could Challenge After Favourable Inside Draw For Newcastle Handicap

Northumberland Plate Betting: Overturn favourite to defend his title

Donald McCain's Overturn heads the betting for Saturday's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle as the gelding bids to become the first back-to-back winner of the prestigious race since 1978. The defending champion is currently 11/2 favourite with Paddy Power after receiving a favourable inside draw for Europe's richest 2m handicap, although Activate and Harlestone Times look potential winners in the making.

Overturn won from stall 21 last year but has the benefit of stall 2 this time as the recent Chester Cup winner looks to further enhance his reputation. The 7-year-old has fine jumps form to call on, including a second to Binocular in the Christmas Hurdle, but looks badly handicapped at top weight of 9st 10lbs this year. Even with a 5lb claiming apprentice in Harry Brooke on board we fancy there is better value to be had elsewhere.

13/2 second favourite Activate has drifted after drawing stall 18, a draw that rider Hayley Turner described as "shocking", and the 4-year-old may have to emulate Overturn's wide-running feats of last year. Michael Bell's gelding is on a three race winning run though, including a 2 mile victory at Haydock last month, and with a favourable weight of 9st this improving handicapper cannot be ruled out.

Bell, winner of the Plate in 2007, also enters the Queen-owned Tactician, who is a lightly raced 12/1 chance. However, much will depend on conditions as the 4-year-old has raced mostly on good to firm ground.

John Dunlop's Harlestone Times looks to have every chance this weekend after winning three of his last four races, including victory over subsequent Royal Ascot winner Beachfire at Goodwood last time out. The 4-year-old is set to carry 9st 5lbs and despite never going further than a mile and a half, we fancy the 2m trip should suit and he could be worth backing from stall 5 at 7/1 in the betting with PaddyPower.com.

Elsewhere, John Gosden's Investissement continues his transition from hurdles to the flat after moving from Evan Williams' stables last year. The 5-year-old was a winner over 1m 6f on his debut for Gosden, which was also his first run in 13 months, and while he should get the trip, the 9/1 shot might find the field a little too strong.

Last year's Plate favourite, Deauville Flyer, is back for a second crack at one of the world's most valuable 2 mile handicaps after finishing an unfortunate 5th last time. The 5-year-old has won over 2 miles before and is a progressive sort that has been unlucky in recent races, not least when badly hampered in finishing fourth to Activate in the last two. At 11/1 with Paddy Power, he could have a decent chance as a strong stayer.

Meanwhile, Andrew Balding's Simenon was clipped in from 16/1 to 14/1 by Paddy Power after the gelding drew stall one. The 4-year-old should stay the trip after a decent crack at the Cesarewitch Trial at Newmarket last year, and could be an each-way chance.

Ultimately, Activate could well overcome a tough draw to take victory, but Harlestone Times looks nicely handicapped and strong enough to cope with the 2 mile trip and take Overturn's crown.

Latest Northumberland Plate Betting

11/2 Overturn
13/2 Activate
7/1 Harlestone Times
9/1 Investissement
11/1 Deauville Flyer
12/1 Tactician
12/1 Moyenne Corniche
14/1 Simenon
16/1 English Summer
16/1 High Office
20/1 Montaff
25/1 BAR

Odds supplied by PaddyPower.com, with best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish horse racing.

Posted: Friday, 24th June 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: northumberland plate, overturn, activate, paddypower,

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