Gulf of Naples could cut a dash at Newcastle

MARK Johnston could yet saddle Gulf of Naples, the Ascot Gold Cup fourth, in Saturday’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

The Middleham handler’s four-year-old was in the vanguard for most of the Ascot marathon that was won by the Frankie Dettori-inspired Colour Vision, who was ironically trained by Johnston last season.

“He stays forever and he must have cut in the ground, which is why we’ve left him in the Plate as it looks like being soft,” said Johnston who could also run Eternal Heart and Becausewecan.

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Steps To Freedom, a leading novice hurdler, could be an interesting runner for top Irish trainer Jessica Harrington while Tominator, ridden to victory last year by East Yorkshire-based Paul Pickard, is another notable entry.

Johnston’s Royal Ascot winner, Fennell Bay may bid to complete a quick hat-trick in the £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Mick Easterby-trained Hoof It, who missed a clash with Black Caviar in Royal Ascot’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes after a poor scope, could reappear this Saturday.

The sprinter holds eyecatching entries at Newcastle and Newmarket as a prelude to the July Cup. However, connections will not declare if the going remains soft.

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Farhh, the Godolphin-owned Thirsk Hunt Cup winner, could be supplemented for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 7 after finishing third in the prestigious Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Triple Crown contender Camelot, Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby hero, heads 11 entries for Saturday’s Irish Derby at The Curragh.