Niven waits on Clever Cookie decision

Peter Niven will check on the conditions at Newcastle before deciding whether Clever Cookie will race in the Northumberland Plate.

Rainfall at the Gosforth Park track on Thursday was a boost for the Malton trainer, but he is hoping for more between now and Saturday afternoon’s Pitmen’s Derby Flat race.

Niven is keen to race Clever Cookie after he withdrew him from Royal Ascot due to the ground being too quick, although he will have to concede between 10lb and 24lb to the opposition.

“Nothing’s definite. Obviously I shall walk the track, but the vibes I’m getting is the ground is pretty nice,” said Niven.

“They had decent showers on Thursday and had a drizzly, murky morning on Friday and there’s a chance of a bit more rain maybe.

“As long as it’s almost good ground, we should be OK.

“Certainly at home he’s in marvellous form, but I don’t know if he can do that weight against those horses. We’ll find out.

“We’re drawn one. Obviously he’ll come from behind, but it makes it pretty simple. We’re going to be tucked in there, so he doesn’t have to do anything.”