This Newcastle favourite is also known as "The Pitman's Derby".
Newcastle has a tapeta track and the going is described as "standard to soft". The race is over 3300m (more or less) and has a field of 20. It's quite open with the favourite Trooper Bisdee on 5/1 for Sir Mark Prescott and Hollie Doyle. Prescott is in the news at present as he recently broke his Royal Ascot "drought" and won the G3 fillies race here yesterday with Tiffany.
Trooper Bisdee has a good staying record and is 2/2 so far this year. His stablemate is also in consideration – True Legend on 8/1 with Ciaron Falllon on board as yesterday's winning jockey Luke Morris has been dispatched to Ireland to ride Tasmania in the Pretty Polly.
Andrew Balding saddles two here as well – Grand Providence on 11/2 with David Probert riding and Spirit Mixer on 20/1. He was second in this race in 2022 but missed most of the 2023 season and has gradually been working his way back this year. He's by Frankel out of a Dubawi mare so that should count for something. George Rooke rides.
