Bukit Tinggi favourite to turn tables in Plate.

Byline: By Rodney Masters

BOOKMAKERS believe Bukit Tinggi will exact revenge on his Royal Ascot conqueror Missoula in Saturday's John Smith's Northumberland Plate - but who will ride the favourite remains unclear.

Coral and Totesport yesterday installed Bukit Tinggi 13-2 favourite for the Plate, in which the Michael Jarvis-trained four-year-old has a 3lb pull for a quarter-length defeat by Ascot Stakes winner Missoula, who will try to defy a 5lb penalty in the pounds 200,000 showpiece.

Jarvis considers the 2m distance of the Plate, which he won twice in the 1970s with Grey God and Totowah, will benefit his challenger, who faded close home over the 2m4f of the Ascot race.

Bukit Tinggi is set to carry 8st 2lb - 3lb below regular rider Philip Robinson's minimum weight, meaning Jarvis will have to find a new jockey should the top-weights Eastern Anthem and Tungsten Strike, who both have alternative engagements, run.

Jarvis said: "This isn't a race where you want to be putting up overweight, so if the top ones stay in, I'll be looking for the best available jockey. The horse returned from Ascot in good order and we'll freshen him up. He came to win his race at Ascot, but his stamina gave out close home."

Missoula is 14-1 with Coral and trainer Suzy Smith said: "I can't believe we can win a second big race within less than two weeks, and I guess 14-1 is about right.

"Although Missoula has a penalty, I'm hopeful that will be offset by softer ground, which will be to her advantage, as will the strong pace over this shorter trip.

"She'll be rested afterwards, and come back for the Cesarewitch before switching to hurdling."

Tungsten Strike has an entry in the Curragh Cup, while a decision on Godolphin's Eastern Anthem, who is also entered in Newmarket's Fred Archer Stakes, is likely to be made today.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "We were very pleased with his seasonal debut at Goodwood, where he was beaten a head by Peppertree Lane in a Listed race. He's suited by easy ground."

Desert Sea will be ridden by Alan Munro, but trainer David Arbuthnot yesterday issued a note of concern about his Sandown winner.

He said: "He's a stayer who can quicken. I hope the rain holds off because I wouldn't want the ground easier than good to soft."

France is likely to be represented by Far From Old, winner of his two most recent starts but yet to prove his stamina over 2m.

Trainer John Hammond said: "My gut feeling is he'll stay because his dam won a Group 2 in France over two miles. Although his recent wins were on soft, he's better on faster. This is a shot in the dark but there's little for him in France right now. I expect Thierry Gillet will ride."

Richard Fahey is intending to run his two entries, but hopes the rain stays away for last year's third Greenwich Meantime.

He said: "At this stage they both run and I'm happy with the pair of them. I wouldn't want it too soft for Greenwich Meantime but Halla San will go on any ground."

The Plate looks likely to be run on ground no quicker than the easy side of good, after more than an inch of rain fell on Newcastle at the weekend. Conditions had improved to good to soft yesterday following a breezy day, but the forecast is for unsettled weather.

CAPTION(S):

Bukit Tinggi (third left) behind Missoula (noseband) at Ascot. He gets a 3lb pull for a quarter-length beating