3 minute read

Known as "the Pitman's Derby" the Northumberland Plate is a favourite with many.

This year's edition has a field of 20 for the Heritage Handicap over 3300m with Trueshan on 6/1 for Hollie Doyle and Alan King having been scratched from the Ascot Gold Cup because of the going – That seems like a very backable price although one needs to consider that this is on an AWT.  He's not favourite as that spot is held by Hugo Palmer's Rajinsky on 9/2.  Andrew Balding saddles Valley Forge on 6/1 and Spirit Mixer on 8/1 in the familiar colours of Jeff Smith.

The Northumberland Vase is a consolation for the Plate and has 19 runners.  Evaluation who is inbeaten since going from Stoute to Keith Dalgleish is on 13/2 – he's run and won on all surfaces.  Zealandia is on the same quote and we are going to have something on Catbird Seat as a famous local horse was called Catbird with reference to the catbird seat – 12/1.

And Hollie is riding him!