Michael Bell is looking to ring up another valuable win with ADJUVANT

Michael Bell is looking to ring up another valuable win with ADJUVANT after Royal Ascot success

  • Trainer Michael Bell, 62, won a valuable Royal Ascot handicap last weekend 
  • He will be looking to repeat the trick with ADJUVANT in Newcastle on Saturday
  • Admittedly, Adjuvant has yet to tackle a synthetic surface in a 14-race career 

Michael Bell won a valuable Royal Ascot handicap last Saturday and the trainer might repeat the trick with ADJUVANT (Newcastle, 2.05) in Saturday’s Northumberland Plate.

Victory for Burdett Road in the Golden Gates Stakes may have come as a surprise to some, given his 20-1 starting price, but the layers are taking less of a chance with the selection who arrives on the back of a smooth success at Newmarket.

Admittedly, Adjuvant has yet to tackle a synthetic surface in a 14-race career which has seen him build a progressive profile.

Narrowly toughed off by HMS President — himself agonisingly beaten at Royal Ascot — in a valuable Newmarket handicap on Guineas weekend, Bell’s stayer made swift work of his rivals at HQ last month with an authoritative display for apprentice jockey Harry Burns.

Billy Loughnane takes over in the saddle on Saturday and he partners a horse who was raised just five pounds for his fourth career win, despite the runner-up and fifth home both subsequently scoring.

Michael Bell won a valuable Royal Ascot handicap last Saturday and the trainer might repeat the trick with ADJUVANT (Newcastle, 2.05) in Saturday’s Northumberland Plate

Zoffee, winner of the Vase 12 months ago, looks another likely to be on the scene. He was poorly positioned in the Ascot Stakes last week before rattling home late on

There are unknowns with Adjuvant, such as the track and trip, but he looks a stayer going places and should give ante-post favourite Post Impressionist a good run for his money.

Zoffee, winner of the Vase 12 months ago, looks another likely to be on the scene. He was poorly positioned in the Ascot Stakes last week before rattling home late on.

The only query regarding his chance is the proximity of Saturday’s feature and whether those exertions will have left a mark. With that in mind, he is reluctantly overlooked in preference for Adjuvant.

Given the form of the Betfred Derby, AUGUSTE RODIN (Curragh, 3.40) should have little issue dismissing his rivals in Sunday’s Irish Derby.

Victories for Epsom runner-up King Of Steel and Waipiro, beaten 10 lengths in sixth, have begun to enhance the standing of this year’s Derby and the acceleration that Auguste Rodin displayed that day should make him irresistible at the Curragh if the marked change of gear can be utilised efficiently by jockey Ryan Moore once again.

If there is to be a concerted threat, then Sprewell could be the one to provide the greatest challenge.

There is little doubt that Epsom’s idiosyncrasies did not play to the strengths of Jessica Harrington’s colt and a more orthodox track should help Sprewell finish closer to Auguste Rodin this time round.

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