George Baker doesn’t send too many runners up to Newcastle from his Surrey base, having had just six in the last five seasons. It’s easy to see why however, as the 643-mile round trip is an expensive one these days. It could be noteworthy then that he’s set to send a runner up there on Tuesday for the first time in 2024. We’ve assessed the horse’s chances of making it a profitable trip below. Why not check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Lucander hasn’t been seen since putting in a disappointing display in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot in June and connections have been keen to avoid soft ground with him. The handicapper has responded accordingly however and has since dropped him 1lb.
He was busy in Bahrain over the winter and managed to get the better of the now 119-rated Isle Of Jura in a handicap back in December. If he can reproduce that form, George Baker’s seven-year-old should be more than capable of running a big race here.
As quick ground appears to be important to him, returning to the all-weather could be a shrewd move. The extended 1m4f is a potential issue as the best he has managed to achieve in six starts over 1m4f or further is one third-place finish.
There’s little doubt that he has the ability to come out on top here and his declining handicap mark certainly catches the eye. Connections won’t want to come home empty-handed and Hollie Doyle has been booked to take the ride.
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