Trueshan shoulders welter burden in Northumberland Plate date

Horse Racing

Top stayer takes on handicap challenge at Newcastle.

Trueshan will concede upwards of 19lb to each of his 19 rivals in the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday.

Sixth in last year’s renewal of the Gosforth Park showpiece, Alan King’s charge went on to win the Goodwood Cup, the Prix du Cadran and the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day to establish himself as one of the sport’s leading stayers.

The six-year-old looked as good as ever on his return to action at Nottingham in early April and connections had hoped to bid for Gold Cup glory at Royal Ascot last week.

But just as was the case 12 months ago, ground conditions were deemed too quick for Trueshan in Berkshire and he has been re-routed to Newcastle as a result.

King chose to claim 5lb off his stable star in the 2021 Northumberland Plate by booking Rhys Clutterbuck, but this season he will be ridden by his regular partner Hollie Doyle, meaning he will carry the welter burden of 10st 8lb.

Next in the list is Ed Dunlop’s Red Verdon on 9st 3lb, followed by the Hugo Palmer-trained Rajinsky, who is on the same weight less the 5lb claim of top apprentice Harry Davies.

Trueshan is one of three runners for King along with 2019 winner Who Dares Wins and Rainbow Dreamer.

Other leading contenders include Andrew Balding’s pair of Spirit Mixer and Valley Forge, the Brian Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator and Bandinelli from Charlie Appleby’s yard.

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