Ante-Post Focus

Published 10.36 24/06 

The record-breaking May heatwave might well have contributed to the below-par running of ALIGN THE STARS at Goodwood last time and with current high temperatures set to subside at Newcastle by Saturday, he could easily bounce back in the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap (3.15) - live on Sky Sports Racing.

Charlie Johnston’s five-year-old had been in cracking form previously, winning a strong-looking renewal of the Queen’s Prize at Kempton and finishing second, conceding the thick end of a stone, to gambled-on Goblet Of Fire in another warm handicap at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas Day.

Dropped to 1m6f there, he remained over the shorter trip at Goodwood three weeks later but fell well below market expectations (started a tight second favourite), reportedly sweating in the preliminaries and dropping away tamely after surrendering second place two furlongs out.

Significantly, his trainer resisted the Royal Ascot temptation this time (beaten under three lengths in the Ascot Stakes last year), the upshot of which is he’s set to return to action here, freshened up by a five-week break for a race described by Johnston in a spring stable tour as ‘an obvious mid-season target’.

The selection, dropped a pound for last month’s flop, remains well-treated on his progressive three-year-old form, still 2lb below his Glorious Goodwood-winning mark and stepping back up to arguably his best trip.

He largely struggled off higher marks last season but hinted at a revival on his final start of the campaign when fourth over an inadequate trip here, which gave him useful course experience in preparation for this prestigious prize.