ROYAL ASCOT winner Pique Sous will seek a notable double when he turns out in the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate, the showcase feature of Newcastle’s Flat season, on Saturday.

The seven-year-old came close to losing his life last autumn after suffering a severe bout of colic, but showed he is better than ever with a brilliant display in the Queen Alexandra Stakes on the final day of Ascot’s Royal meeting on Saturday in the hands of Ryan Moore.

The grey is now safely back at champion trainer Willie Mullins’ Irish base, but is likely to be heading back across the Irish Sea later this week.

Steve Massey, racing manager for the owners Supreme Horse Racing, said: “The horse caught the ferry back to Ireland and is grand and fine back at Willie’s.

“I spoke to Willie and Ryan about the Northumberland Plate yesterday, Ryan was keen and if the horse is all right come Tuesday and the ground is suitable, I think it’s very likely he’ll run.

“He gets in with a 5lb penalty.

He was rated 96 going into Ascot and I’d say he’ll go up at least 10lb, so he’ll be well-in.

“I thought Ryan gave him a fantastic ride as he pulled hard in the early stages. I think the two and three-quarter miles he faced is the top end of his limit and I actually think he can improve going back to two miles.

“He travels so well in his races and has some kick.

The time was quicker than Simenon’s when he won the race two years ago.

“I don’t think he’ll jump a hurdle again. We’ll be concentrating on the Flat from now on.”

  • Jockey Raul Da Silva is set to return to action today after avoiding serious injury following a nasty incident at Redcar.

Da Silva was due to ride the Geoff Oldroyd-trained newcomer Bon Empire in the sixfurlong maiden at the circuit, but was kicked in the stomach by his intended mount in the parade ring.

The rider was taken to James Cook University Hospital for precautionary checks, but was allowed home on Saturday night.

His agent Andy Lewis said: “He’s back home and he’s fine. He’s got a bit of bruising and they had to do some tests yesterday to make sure there was no internal bleeding.

“There’s nothing broken and I think it looked a bit worse than what it was. He’s just well bruised at the moment.

“They thought the injuries were worse than what they were. They had him checked out and he was badly bruised.

“He’ll be riding again on Monday at Thirsk.”

  • Treve has been undergoing tests since her return to France following her shock defeat in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Last year’s brilliant Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner could only finish third behind The Fugue on Wednesday, having lost her unbeaten record at the hands of Cirrus Des Aigles in the Prix Ganay on her seasonal debut.

Treve appeared not to move well to post in the hands of Frankie Dettori and looked ill at ease during the race, though she did stay on at the end of the mile-and-a-quarter Group One to take minor honours.