Trainer Iain Jardine is confident Nakeeta can prove his class in Saturday’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.
The seven-year-old disappointed in his seasonal reappearance in the Chester Cup, much to the frustration of his trainer who saw him win last year’s Ebor at York before finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup.
Jardine has been working hard back him in Dumfries in a bid to get him ready for Saturday’s trip to Tyneside.
The Northumberland Plate is familiar territory for Nakeeta, having raced to 10th in 2016, albeit in a bunched field.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s race, Jardine has his hopes high for success but admits much will depend on the draw.
Jardine said: “He goes to the Plate on Saturday and we’re looking forward to it. He never got a clear run at all at Chester, but he’s been in good form since.
“He ran in this race before (10th in 2016) and didn’t get a clear run that day, either. We’ll need a lot of luck and hope the draw is kind.”
Pictured is Withhold who might go up against Nakeeta at the Plate on Saturday.
