Easterby happy with Bow as he targets second Cup victory

7.00 Newcastle
Betfred Gosforth Park Cup Handicap | 5f | 3yo+ | ATR

Twelve months ago Orion’s Bow landed the contest for the late David Nicholls and the six-year-old will attempt to repeat the success, but from a different yard as he is now in the care of Tim Easterby.

However, he has more on his plate this time around from a handicapping point of view as he now races off a mark of 104 compared to 91 last year and will have to concede weight all round.

But on the positive side, Orion’s Bow is unbeaten in two visits to the relatively new all-weather course at Gosforth Park and there was a definite sign that he may be about to hit peak form again on his last outing.

At Musselburgh earlier this month, he was sent off favourite for a very competitive handicap sprint but was squeezed for room from halfway and eased down in the closing stages once his chance had evaporated behind eventual winner Line Of Reason.

Besides Orion’s Bow, Easterby is also represented in the valuable sprint handicap by Rasheeq and Confessional.

He said of the trio: “Orion’s Bow won the race last year, so he likes the surface, and he was very unlucky last time at Musselburgh as he simply never got a run. He's higher in the weights in the race this year but I think he'll cope with that.

“Rasheeq also never came off the bridle at Musselburgh as he was denied a clear run – it’s his first run on the all-weather surface since he joined our yard but he should go well.

"Confessional might be a ten-year-old but he's still got a bit of fire in his belly and also has his chance.”

What they say

Kristin Stubbs, trainer of Soie d’Leau
He was fourth in this race last year from what seemed an unfavourable draw so a stiff five furlongs suits him well. He's dropping back into handicap company after bumping into the in-form Judicial last time and I'd hope he has a good each-way chance.

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Lexington Abbey and Distant Past
Both horses are in good heart at present – Distant Past has winning form at the course on the all-weather which is in his favour, while Lexington Abbey will be having his first try on an artificial surface but he should be fine as the stiff five furlongs will suit.

Ruth Carr, trainer of Art Collection
He had good early season form at the course as he won twice and this is his first chance to return as there haven't been races for him. I don’t think the soft ground on turf last time suited so we're hoping a return to tapeta will bring out the best in him. He seems fit and well.

Michael Appleby, trainer of Escalating
He's in very good order and our stable apprentice Raymond Dawson, who won on him last time, takes seven pounds off so he has to have a chance. I think the tapeta surface will suit him and he has plenty in his favour.