With the turf unraceable at Doncaster, the November Handicap is moved to Newcastle much like the 2019 Futurity Trophy.

That could be a good move and a sign of the future. Kameko’s Futurity was a prelude to him winning the 2000 Guineas and also featured Kinross, while the top trainers have supported this meeting too with strong contenders declared in the two Listed races on the card.

£70,000 is up for grabs in this one. A full compliment of 14 horses have been declared over the extended mile and a half, all looking to emulate last year’s winner Metier. These are our six against the field.

Main Contenders

Chillingham

Ed Bethell has really impressed in the training ranks and he has a live one here in three-time winner Chillingham. 

Off since August, there aren’t too many miles in the legs of the gelded son of Ulysees. Another thing in his favour is his proven stamina, given that he is a double winner on soft ground over a mile and a half at Thirsk and was fourth to Vauban over 1m6f at Royal Ascot.

He remains well handicapped and has PJ McDonald in the saddle.

Laafi

When a three-year-old is entered into a handicap representing William Haggas and Cieren Fallon people tend to take notice. Their Laafi is a last-time-out winner too having taken a ten-furlong race at Newmarket on heavy ground.

He should get through the Tapeta OK, but may be lacking a touch of pace if anything although the extra distance may yet even that out. He is drawn a little wide so may have to work his way through the field if good enough.

Local Dynasty

The 101-rated Local Dynasty was, like most horses in Charlie Appleby’s yard, thought of as a Group horse and that is likely to still be the case.

There is very little doubt that this now gelded son of Dubawi is very well handicapped and he has a hugely attractive profile in the context of this race.

A Listed winner, he was already expected to have reached a mark somewhere around 110+ at this point, should stay well and as the mount of William Buick will be given the best possible handling.

Mr Alan

This horse represents George Boughey and Amo Racing and he has some good form. His three wins have all come on rain-softened turf, so the slower Tapeta should be fine though he was once beaten at Wolverhampton on this sort of surface.

There could still be improvement to come from this four-year-old, but he has been taking on very soft ground racing three times since September, the last time being eight days ago, and might not be at his peak fitness.

Mustazeed

Harry Eustace trains Mustazeed for the Newmarket Racing Club but they may have been hoping for the race to have been staged at Doncaster as planned.

In mid-October, Mustazeed ran a strong second to Certain Lad over 1m2f in a valuable handicap at Donny on heavy ground, giving the impression a standard November Handicap would be right up his street.

They remain in contention and the horse’s form is bang on, while Kaiya Fraser takes some handy weight off his back.

Teumessias Fox

Andrew Balding’s contender ticks a few boxes. He has won over a mile and a half at Newmarket, he’s won on softer surfaces on the turf and he ran away with an all-weather race at Kempton on a quicker surface back in March. All we have to question now is whether he can put all that together on the Tapeta at Newcastle.

Taking out a very slight blip in June, Teumessias Fox has been consistent all season. For place backers that’s great, but on the downside he’s probably handicapped about right and needs this course to eke out some more improvement.

Summary

A competitive race, just as it should be. Mustazeed is a solid contender, though he may have to come from off what doesn’t look a very strong pace.

Chillingham is fresh, lightly raced and has plenty in his favour, though he is drawn a little wide and will want to be up with the pace, perhaps using up too much energy early on.

The best of the bunch is likely to be LOCAL DYNASTY. Improving with every run before being gelded, he is also fresh and lightly raced, has a very nice draw, has the pace to get with them early and has the best jockey on board.