Bleu all the rage
Bookmakers’ nightmare Tony Martin has shaken up the market for the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate as Arc Bleu sneaked into Saturday’s big race at Newcastle as the first reserve.
Martin snapped up Adrian Nicholls to ride his interesting contender after Lost Soldier Three, trained by the jockey’s father Dandy, was pulled out.
Arc Bleu, who arrived from Germany a couple of years ago, won a valuable 12-furlong handicap at the Curragh last summer but has been hurdling of late and finished second at Punchestown in May.
“He hasn’t run much on the Flat for us – a couple of times last year – but I feel he’ll get the two miles,” said Martin, whose runner will break from stall six.
“He gets the two miles over hurdles and while it’s different running on the Flat, I’m hopeful he’ll run well. We’ll find out tomorrow.
“Adrian has not ridden for me before but I know his father and I asked if he would be available.”
Martin’s only note of caution was on the ground at Newcastle, with further rain forecast.
“He’s a good-moving horse, so the better the ground, the better he’ll be,” added the trainer.
Pippa Greene was also withdrawn, allowing a run for Tim Easterby’s Bollin Derek, but it was Arc Bleu who was the significant market mover with totesport.
Spokesman Damian Walker said: “Tony Martin is probably the name we fear more than any other when it comes to big-race handicaps like the Northumberland Plate. Punters were falling over themselves to back his Arc Bleu and we are now 13-2 from 8-1.
“Having crept in at the bottom of the weights, Arc Bleu could easily start favourite.”
