AS MARVELLOUS an invention as it was, a Davy Lamp wouldn't be much use to anyone trying to shed some light on today's Pitmen's Derby.
Mind you, given the mountain of possibilities surrounding Newcastle's big race, punters could have the Blackpool illuminations at their disposal and still be as much in the dark as ever.
No matter where you look in the 20-strong field, there are
bits and bobs of form that suggest plenty in the line-up will go to post for the Northumberland Plate, to give it its Sunday name on a Saturday, more than hopeful of landing the £200,000 contest.
It's not exactly difficult to spot the positives. The amazing Carte Diamond, who has cheated death on more than one occasion in the past, has shown in his two outings this season that almost meeting his maker has done little to dim his ability.
Fellow Brian Ellison inmate Tilt boasts a consistency of performance others would die for, although not literally, of course, and the in-form yard of Richard Fahey are reported to be expecting a big run from Greenwich Meantime.
Missoula and Bukit Tinggi, separated by little more than a whisker in the Ascot Stakes, a contest that has provided previous winners of this afternoon's event, will renew rivalry and the late confirmation of Arc Bleu in the field has sent the bookies running for cover.
Trained by Tony Martin, whose liking for relieving the layers of their cash is legendary, Arc Bleu scraped in at the eleventh hour as first reserve and, if successful, he'll be a pretty expensive substitute as far as the old enemy are concerned.
Slightly further up the handicap, Gee Dee Nen and Desert Sea look an improving couple of stayers while a change of scenery could help Jim Goldie's new charge Mudawin bounce back to the sort of form that landed him the 2006 Ebor.
There is, therefore, clearly no shortage of Yangs around so what about the Yins? Carte Diamond has paid for his bravery in coming back from death's door by taking a stiff rise in his rating, and if stablemate Tilt couldn't win the Plate 12 months ago, why should he do it this time round now that he's a year older and racing off a higher mark?
With a fair bit of rain around Gosforth Park, the going might not be Greenwich Meantime's cup of Earl Grey and both Mark Tompkins and David Arbuthnot have also said they're slightly concerned about the softening ground for Gee Dee Nen and Desert Sea.
That just leaves us with Missoula and Bukit Tinggi, who both had hard races at the Royal meeting and will do well to peak again just a few weeks later.
Bearing in mind all of the above, today's race may seem the first in history that won't have a winner, but Highland Legacy can dispel that fear.
Strongly fancied for the Chester Cup, Michael Bell's charge could do no better than fifth but, as others have found before him, the Roodee suits some horses but not others.
The way he came round the final bend suggested Highland Legacy belongs in the latter category and the wide open spaces of Newcastle should be much more to his liking.
Tomorrow's Irish Derby sees the first three from the Epsom version lock horns once again and, depending on which tipster you read, the outcome at the Curragh will be exactly the same as it was on the Downs.
Either that or it will be slightly different. And if not that nor the other, it will be totally difficult.
New Approach won on merit at Epsom so should, in theory, again beat Tartan Bearer and Casual Conquest, but having gone with the middle named of the trio last time out, I'll stick with him. Sir Michael Stoute's colt was having only his fourth start at Epsom and his trainer's renowned ability to bring out improvement in horses as they grow in experience should never be underestimated.
Stable companion Adversity cost plenty of people plenty on his latest start when getting no sort of run under Ryan Moore at Sandown.
Opinion was divided as to whether he would have won given an uninterrupted passage but he's still worth another chance in the finale at Chester, while Stevie Gee will carry the nap in the toteswinger Handicap back at Newcastle.
Before any maiden aunt gets too offended, I should perhaps point out that the race name comes from a new bet instigated by the Tote.
The full article contains 764 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
