Northumberland Plate for Nakeeta
Monday 9 May 2016 13:35, UK
Narrow Chester Cup runner-up Nakeeta will aim to go one better in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on June 25.
Iain Jardine's stayer nearly defied his unfavourable draw in stall 15 in the valuable staying contest, only to be denied by Nicky Henderson's No Heretic.
A trip to Newcastle will mean a drop in trip next month, but Jardine is less concerned about that compared to the fact the race will be run on Tapeta for the first time this year.
"He's come out of Chester very well, he's really fresh," said Jardine.
"I was over the moon with him.
"We've discussed plans with the owners and decided that we'll go to Newcastle next for the Northumberland Plate.
"He's never run on Tapeta before which is an unknown, but we won't know unless we try.
"After that, we'll be looking at the Ebor I imagine, we'll just see how he gets on in the Plate first.
"He's a good horse, I think he's still improving, and I'm delighted to have him in the yard. It's brilliant to be competitive in races like the Chester Cup.
"He was beaten by the draw, I think, and while I was proud of him, I did feel a bit sick for a while afterwards.
"Hopefully they'll go a better gallop at Newcastle so he can settle better."
