'It's a crying shame' - Longsider connections forced to rethink Newcastle plan

Leading Northumberland Plate fancy Longsider will miss Saturday's race as trainer Sir Mark Prescott believes he is not quite ready for the big handicap.

Middleham Park Racing's lightly raced four-year-old had been laid out for the Newcastle showpiece and was 8-1 third favourite with sponsors William Hill on Wednesday morning.

However, the syndicate's racing manager Tom Palin revealed: "He had a little hiccup about six weeks ago, he pulled a muscle behind, and it cost us ten to 14 days.

William Hill Northumberland Plate card and betting

"We thought he'd be okay but when he worked yesterday Sir Mark wasn't sure he was quite ready and we decided this morning not to take up the engagement. We could go there and be a gallop short so we'll wait another week or fortnight.

"This had been the plan since he won in February, we'd laid him out for this and then hopefully the Ebor. It's a crying shame that he can't make Saturday but the horse's welfare is the most important thing."

Longsider is now likely to be aimed at either the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock a week on Saturday or the bet365 Trophy at Newmarket six days later.

He has run just three times in three seasons and had two different trainers in that time, and Palin said: "He wasn't easy to train at two as he's a giant of horse and David Lanigan did an awful lot for him.

"He required surgery after he won a Wolverhampton maiden impressively at three then David moved to America.

"We felt Sir Mark was the perfect trainer for him and he won a novice under a penalty in February. We hope there's still wriggle room with his handicap mark."

Tom Palin: 'He's a very exciting horse'Credit: James Thomas

Alan King has provisionally booked apprentice Rhys Clutterbuck for topweight Trueshan, the sponsor's 6-1 favourite for the £150,000 race.

But the trainer warned his stayer, who was withdrawn from the Gold Cup as the ground was too quick for him at Royal Ascot last week, has an alternative option this weekend.

Explaining the booking, King said: "We felt with 10st 4lb we probably had to take a bit off his back. Rhys hasn't ridden for me but he has been very well recommended.

"But there is just a little chance the horse could go to Newmarket instead. I think it will be Newcastle but we've put him in the Fred Archer Stakes to give him every option and we'll see what the weather is looking like come declaration time on Thursday morning."

The going is described as good at Newmarket with showers forecast for Friday and Saturday, according to the racecourse.

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