Prospector can strike gold again

8:37am Saturday 28th June 2008

NEWCASTLE'S supporting card to the Northumberland Plate makes pretty impressive reading, none more so than the opening Chipchase Stakes, writes COLIN WOODS (JANUS).

The Group 3 six-furlong sprint is chock-a-bloc with high-class speed merchants, notably recent York scorer Brave Prospector (2.10).

It was impossible not to be impressed by the way Brave Prospector blasted clear of his opponents on the Knavesmire a fortnight ago.

Jockey Alan Munro sat tight just behind the pace, but when he pulled the trigger the combination streaked clear in a matter of strides.

With no penalties and a generous 4lbs allowance for being a three-year-old, Brave Prospector is quickly becoming one of the hottest tickets in town.

Another individual from the same generation seeking to upset his older and more experienced rivals is Toto Skyllachy (5.00), entered for the mile-andtwo- furlong handicap.

Although Tom Tate has been quite within his rights to campaign Toto Skyllachy at around one mile to date this season, it may be his horse is much better over today's longer trip.

A fine, big, imposing individual, so typical of the way the stable invest in quality horseflesh, Tate's raider will also appreciate the dig in the ground.

Joe Fanning is at his best when controlling the pace from the front.

Such tactics are ideal for Against The Grain (3.55), perfectly- placed in stall one to hug the far rail where underfoot conditions appear faster than other areas of the track.