Bookmaker Reviews

Michael Jarvis admits it is highly unlikely his exciting prospect Opinion Poll will line up in Saturday’s John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

The four-year-old has hit the target twice in Listed company this season and was due to carry top-weight in this weekend’s feature contest.

He also has an entry in the At The Races Curragh Cup, but Jarvis is not willing to risk his charge on unsuitably fast ground and said: “He probably isn’t going to run anywhere unless the weather changes in the next 24 hours, which looks highly unlikely.”

The trainer continued: “It’s just down to the ground and this horse is well worth waiting for. We’re not halfway through the year yet and there are plenty of races for him, so we’re in no great rush. The rain will come eventually – it always does.”

Jane Chapple-Hyam has two possibles in Macarthur and Tyrrells Wood, although the former seems more likely to take his chance at present.

Both were in action at Royal Ascot last week with Macarthur unplaced in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap and Tyrrells Wood down the field in the Ascot Stakes.

“I haven’t made my mind up yet, although I’m swinging towards running Macarthur and we’ve got to make a decision about Tyrrells Wood,” said the Newmarket trainer.

“I haven’t put a saddle on Macarthur since Ascot, he’s been turned out in the field to try to freshen him up. I’ll weigh him and see if he’s put the weight back on and make a decision. At this stage I’m targeting him for there.”