Arc officials await rail strike fallout as Trueshan remains on course for Plate

Officials at Arena Racing Company (Arc), which stages four fixtures on Saturday including the high-profile Northumberland Plate card at Newcastle, were on Monday awaiting details on how a national rail strike might impact their meetings.

Industrial action is planned for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday this week in what would be Britain's biggest rail strike for 30 years.

Along with Newcastle, who would expect a bumper crowd for the traditional highlight of its Flat season, Arc tracks Windsor, Lingfield and Doncaster will be in action on Saturday, while Chester and Newmarket also host meetings.

Mark Spincer, the managing director of Arc's racing division, said: "We'll review the situation again on Wednesday. We'll see what happens after Tuesday if that strike goes ahead.

"It's too early to make any knee-jerk reactions. However, we are trying work through different options and avenues to communicate to those who have either purchased tickets or may well want to attend."

Trueshan: did not appear at Royal Ascot last weekCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Those in attendance at Newcastle could be treated to the sight of top stayer , who missed the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot because of fast ground last week, carrying a huge weight in the £150,000 Northumberland Plate.

"It'd be fantastic if he ran," Spincer added. "We'd love to see him and that's the advantage of the all-weather surface there. Connections know they'll get the ground they're looking for because nothing will change between now and then."

A decision on last year's Goodwood Cup and Prix du Cadran winner lining up will be made later in the week, trainer Alan King confirmed on Monday when he left the classy Singula Partnership-owned six-year-old in the race.

Trueshan would carry 10st 8lb if taking part, with the next horses in the handicap – Red Verdon, Rajinsky and Global Heat – on 9st 3lb.

"Obviously, Trueshan would have a nigh-impossible task at the weights in the Plate, but we'll make up our minds later in the week," King said on his website.

"It surely must rain again some time, mustn't it? The Goodwood and Doncaster Cups would come up next but we are reliant on the weather, so it's a case of wait and see."

Trueshan, sixth in the Northumberland Plate off 2lb lower 12 months ago, is 10-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power, while Valley Forge and Rajinsky head the betting at a general 7-1 price.

They were among 61 in contention for the historic handicap, which has a maximum field of 20, although Newcastle also stages a £75,000 consolation race on Saturday for those failing to make the final cut.

Northumberland Plate (3.30 Newcastle, Saturday):

bet365: 7 Valley Forge, Rajinsky, Trueshan, 8 Onesmoothoperator, 10 Spirit Mixer, 12 Soapy Stevens, 16 Bandinelli, 20 bar

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