Opportunity could come knocking for Henry Brooke this weekend as the young jockey is line for the ride on top-weight Overturn in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.
Principally a jumps jockey, Brooke is attached to Donald McCain's Cheshire yard, and the trainer is keen to give him a chance on the seven-year-old.
Overturn won last year's renewal after being given what was considered a masterful front-running ride by Eddie Ahern, who tacked over from stall 21, which was considered highly disadvantageous. However, Ahern is suspended this weekend, which could give 5lb claimer Brooke the highest-profile ride of his short career on Saturday.
McCain has had to switch his sights as Overturn was declared to run in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot last weekend but was taken out on the morning of the race due to soft ground.
McCain said: "Everything is on target for this weekend. It's been quite quick up there recently so the recent rain was needed, but it was very wet at Ascot and that wouldn't have suited him. We had a rough idea he'd be carrying nearly top weight anyway but with Eddie banned there's a strong possibility we could claim off him with young Henry Brooke.
"It will be good for him to ride a high-profile horse, he caught the eye a few times in the winter. I'd be more than happy for him to ride him over hurdles so I think he may as well ride him on the Flat. He could do the weight and I think it's a chance worth taking. Overturn still looks to be improving on the Flat, he won this last year off 93 and then won at Chester off 99, we know the track suits him and after last year it doesn't matter where he's drawn. He's in very good nick."
Michael Bell has two big chances with Activate and Tactician in a race he won in 2007 with Juniper Girl. Tactician is owned by the Queen, while Activate runs in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing colours. The pair are separated by only 1lb in the weights.
Bell said: "The ground is looking like it will be good which should suit them both as neither of them want extremes. It is probably more likely to be on the slower side if the forecasts are to be believed, and that could be a concern for Tactician, we'll have to see. Both are lightly raced and potentially progressive. Activate was very impressive at Haydock and stayed very well."
Ted Spread could still run, despite being beaten a nose in a Listed race at Pontefract on Sunday, with trainer Mark Tompkins saying: "I just left him in as it was only £200 to leave him in. I'll have a word with Kieren (Fallon) and see what we think. I've also got Mystery Star in there and I'd run him if it was firm, and maybe Ted in soft. Ted is off 98 in it and he won't be off that in future.
"Having him castrated over the winter has been a big help. I think we'll have some fun with him over the next couple of years. He's got an entry in the Princess of Wales's Stakes (Newmarket) and I'll be looking abroad to France and Ireland because he's much better in soft. I won't make a decision until nearer the time."
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