However, he put in a creditable performance when runner-up to King Harald over four miles at Doncaster three weeks ago.

Trainer TJ Nagle is putting headgear on the nine-year-old in a bid to help the horse jump better in Gosforth Park’s long-distance handicap chase.

“We just thought he was a little bit cagey jumping at Doncaster the last day, so we felt the blinkers might sharpen him up,” said the County Cork-based handler.

“It was a good run there but he didn’t jump particularly well, though Noel Fehily was superb on him that day.

“Peter Buchanan rides on Saturday. He’s been suggested to us that he may suit the horse.

“He likes goodish ground and hopefully it should be perfect for him at Newcastle.”