Believ bids to secure Vase honours at Newcastle

Believitanducan will attempt to maintain his unbeaten start to the Flat season by making it hat-trick of wins for the campaign in the Jenningsbet Northumberland Vase at Newcastle.

Since returning to the level, following a spell over hurdles over the winter, the gelded son of Make Believe has made good strides following wins at Ascot and last time out around the tight turns at Chester.

Although this represents another step up in class for the Owners Group-owned five year old, Alan believes that he is heading in the right direction and is ready for a test like this.

Alan said: “He is progressive as he has won his last two races back on the Flat. I think the surface will be fine for him so I hope he runs well as he is in good form.

“We thought he was well-handicapped coming into the the season, but we also thought physically he had done well. He had always been quite a weak horse, but he strengthened up over the winter.

“He didn’t get in at Royal Ascot, however he wouldn’t have run there as the ground was too quick. This race has been the plan for sometime so we will see how he gets on.

“William Buick was available, and he has had a good record for me over the years, and it is always a pleasure to have him on board.”

Alan has previous when it comes to win the Jenningsbet Festival Northumberland Plate having won the race with Who Dares Wins in 2019 and in 2022 with former stable stalwart Trueshan.

Flying the flag for Alan in this year’s renewal of the £150,000 contest will be Blazeon Five, who was last sighted finishing second on her return to the turf at Newbury back in April.

Alan said: “I can’t say this has been the target for her as we were supposed to go to Haydock Park a few weeks ago, but we lost that race, and then it was too firm at Royal Ascot so we have ended up coming here.

“I know she has won on the all-weather before, but she might be a better filly on grass.

“It was a very good run last time out at Newbury, but I’m just a bit worried as she has been ready to run for a month now so I just hope that she hasn’t gone past her best.”

While Alan will be fully focused on the afternoon action at Newcastle his attention will turn to Windsor later in the day when track specialist Wisper bids for a fourth victory at the track in the Sri Lanka Paradise Island Handicap.

After signing off last year on a low key note at Newmarket the eight-year-old mare made a winning return to action with her third success at the Berkshire venue.

Alan said: “She seems to run very well around Windsor so it made sense to go back there with her. She is in great form so we will see what happens. She has gone up slightly in the weights for her last win, but I’m very happy with her.”