Racing: Royal Ascot winner Windsor Castle may take Cole to Newcastle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The trainer Paul Cole is to delay a decision about whether to run Windsor Castle in the Northumberland Plate Handicap over two miles at Newcastle on Saturday until later in the week.
Windsor Castle looks leniently treated in the Pitman's Derby, despite picking up an 8lb penalty after he won the Group Three Queen's Vase over two miles at Royal Ascot last Wednesday by a neck from Three Cheers.
Windsor Castle can meet Winter Garden, who was three lengths back in fourth place that day, on just 2lb worse terms at Newcastle.
However, Flirting Around, beaten 71/4 lengths into seventh place at Royal Ascot, is due to reoppose on 13lb better terms.
Cole said yesterday: "Windsor Castle will be declared tomorrow but we won't decide whether to run until later in the week.
"He ran only a couple of days ago and we want to see how he comes out of the race, although I don't think he will have taken too much out of himself as they didn't go very fast and that's why there were so many in contention.
"There are a lot of good horses in the Plate and it is depressing to read in the history books that Orpheus is the only three-year-old to win the race this century."
Windsor Castle has never run in a handicap before, but Cole reasoned: "If they are good enough they will handle the race. The ground won't be a problem for him and I have spoken to one or two of the top light-weight jockeys but they are all waiting to see whether the weights go up."
The handicap for the race is headed by Grey Shot, who finished last in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Peter Savill is waiting to see how much the handicapper puts up Fly To The Stars for his victory in the Britannia (Handicap) Stakes, before deciding future plans. The Hong Kong Trophy at Sandown on Friday week is one possibility.
Saeed bin Suroor's good run at Royal Ascot failed to continue at Longchamp yesterday when Diffident and Frankie Dettori finished a well beaten sixth of eight runners in the Prix de la Porte Maillot.
There is a Tote Jackpot carry over of pounds 255,258.93 at Nottingham today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments