TRANSOM is confidently expected to triumph in today's £100,000-added Northumberland Plate. In a race in which older horses have a good record, the Amanda Perrett-trained six-year-old arrives at Gosforth Park in fine form and well handicapped.
Formerly trained by Perrett's father, Guy Harwood, Transom missed last season and most of 1994, but showed his potential as a three-year-old.
Transom displayed his big-race capabilities by finishing third in York's Melrose Handicap, then a close eighth of 32 in the Cesarewitch. And he also beat Star Player by six lengths at Ascot off a mark 3 lb higher than today's.
He has bounced back this year being given a sympathetic ride to finish fourth to Hoh Express at Goodwood before running on strongly in the closing stages to beat Cloud Inspector by a head over two miles at Goodwood.
Transom is entitled to come on further for that run and looks to have been prepared with this contest in mind. This is his optimum trip and he has the touch of class necessary to take a handicap of this quality.
Embryonic, fourth in the race last year and in good form for Martin Todhunter, makes more appeal and could make the frame.
Top Cees, too, has to be feared after winning the Chester Cup, but his 10-length win there was exaggerated by soft ground round the unique, turning course.
But at the weights, it's Transom who appeals and he gets the nap vote to give Perrett's fledgling career a big fillip.
Magic Mill catches the eye in the £18,000-added Tote Bookmakers Sprint Trophy.
Trainer Les Eyre had high hopes for the four-year-old this year and was very disappointed when he flopped in a small race at Beverley in April.
Subsequently given six weeks' rest, Magic Mill ran much better at Catterick last time, finishing just over two lengths third to Rechullin. He looks to be coming to hand now.
Attentions should also be turned to Lingfield's evening fixture, where Turrill House, who has been in the news this week, is worth considering off a very low rating in Lingfield's Moor Envelopes Selling Handicap.
