Jiroft set to carry top weight in Gosforth Park Cup

Trainer Robert Cowell has some high quality sprinters in his care at the moment including Temple Stakes winner Kingsgate Native. Italian import Jiroft is not in that class but the gelding has shown plenty of promise on his first two starts for the stable.

The Epsom Dash resulted in a thrilling finish won by Sir Michael Stoute’s Duke Of Firenze and Jiroft was only beaten a length in fifth place. He was an unconsidered 33-1 shot that day and didn’t help himself by swerving to the left early on. It was to his credit that he stuck on as well as he did.

His latest start was in a listed race at Haydock where he again showed plenty of speed before finishing fifth behind Medicean Man. Graham Lee has been booked to ride the top-weight in a typically wide-open Gosforth Park Cup.

Tim Easterby is doubly represented by the veteran Captain Dunne and the talented but unpredictable Confessional. Captain Dunne showed plenty of speed at Epsom but weakened in the closing stages and was soon beaten at Musselburgh last time out. Confessional contested the same race but missed the break and did well to finish within four lengths of the winner at the line.

Stone Of Folca showed up well that day on his seasonal reappearance but connections will be anxious that the rain does not get into the ground too much. His best form is all on a fast surface.

David O’Meara also has two runners with Chester winner Lucky Numbers joined by Mayoman. Lucky Numbers made the most of a good draw to win at the Roodeye and has been more consistent than most of these of late. Mayoman had a gentle introduction and could improve considerably for the run.

Lady Gibraltar will have her supporters after an excellent third behind Kingsgate Choice in a decent race at York last time whilst Jack Luey recovered from an early bump to win at Redcar. El Viento was well beaten at York last time but previously shaped well against a speedy sort in Heeraat.

Ancient Cross is not out of it after running respectively in the Wokingham and any market move for the lowly weighted Fitz Flyer should be noted.