Chester Cup winner Zoffee bids to win a second major staying handicap of the season when facing a maximum 19 rivals in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday.
The eight-year-old – a C&D scorer thanks to victory in the 2022 Northumberland Vase – has to contend with a 4lb rise in the weights for that success at Chester on stable debut for Hugo Palmer and was a long way down the field in last term’s renewal.
A whole host of horses towards the top of the handicap can be found at the sharp end of Paddy Power’s betting including Tashkhan, who ended last campaign by finishing third in the Cesarewitch and Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak, and Yashin, who boasts form that ties in closely with Gold Cup winner Kyprios.
Sir Mark Prescott has never saddled the winner of the Northumberland Plate but he boasts a couple of leading prospects in the form of hat-trick seeker Trooper Bisdee and True Legend.
The marathon contest has been run on the Tapeta track at Newcastle since 2016 and all-weather specialists such as Duke Of Oxford, Onesmoothoperator and Spartan Army will be looking to play a major role in Saturday’s 15:10.
The latest Northumberland Plate odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Northumberland Plate 2024 verdict
Timeform: Lots with chances but Sir Mark Prescott’s upwardly-mobile stayer TROOPER BISDEE had plenty in hand when going in at Pontefract last time and can complete his hat-trick under a 5 lb penalty here. James Owen’s Too Friendly could emerge as the main danger now the cheekpieces go back on, although course-scorer Onesmoothoperator is also weighted to have a big say. Evaluation, Zoffee and Duke of Oxford are others who command plenty of respect in a typically ultra competitive Northumberland Plate.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Northumberland Plate 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Northumberland Plate 2024.
Tashkhan
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Ben Robinson Age: 6 Weight: 9st 13lbs Draw: 16
Smart stayer who signed off for 2023 with a solid 8¼ lengths third of 11 to Double Major in Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp (15.4f, heavy). Off 8 months but not discounted on his tapeta debut.
***
Yashin
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Scott McCullagh Age: 5 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 1
Arrives in good nick, 2¾ lengths third of 6 to Kyprios in Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown (14f, good) 43 days ago when needing a stronger gallop. Considered on his first go on tapeta.
Spartan Army
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Billy Loughnane Age: 5 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 18
3 wins from 5 runs this year, latest on AW at Lingfield in March. Posted another solid effort when fifth of 9 in handicap at Newbury (16.5f, good to soft, 9/2) 71 days ago so he merits consideration.
***
Zoffee
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Harry Davies Age: 8 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 13
Made a winning start for this yard (formerly with Olly Murphy) in 16-runner Chester Cup (18.6f, good to firm) 50 days ago. Up 4 lb but this C&D winner can’t be taken lightly.
****
Onesmoothoperator
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Connor Beasley Age: 6 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 12
Course winner who shaped well back up in trip when second of 9 in handicap (10/1) at Southwell (16.5f) 62 days ago, conceding first run. Weighted to go close nudged up 1 lb.
****
True Legend
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott Bt Jockey: Cieren Fallon Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 15
Course winner who recorded a good second of 8 in handicap (10/3) at Goodwood (14f, good to firm) 35 days ago. Can give another good account.
***
Too Friendly
Trainer: James Owen Jockey: Callum Shepherd Age: 6 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 8
Won 3 times over hurdles for current yard last summer and added to his tally back on the level at Kempton (2m) in March. Good fourth at Hamilton (13.1f) 27 days ago so very much one to consider on his tapeta debut with cheekpieces back on.
****
Zealandia
Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Josephine Gordon Age: 7 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 7
C&D winner in January. Only twelfth of 16 to Zoffee in Chester Cup (18.6f, good to firm, 28/1) 50 days ago but the sort to bounce back.
***
Spirit Mixer
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: George Rooke Age: 6 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 6
Winless since 2022 but comes here in decent nick, third of 11 in handicap (13/2) at Goodwood (16f, good to firm) 20 days ago. One for the shortlist.
***
Duke of Oxford
Trainer: Michael Bell Jockey: Tyler Heard Age: 4 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 20
Ended 2023 with a brace of 2m Kempton wins and not seen to best effect when 11th in Chester Cup last time, set a lot to do. Can make his presence felt.
****
Solent Gateway
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Rowan Scott Age: 6 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 4
Back to form when scond of 13 in handicap at Haydock (16.2f, good to soft, 14/1) 35 days ago, though no match for winner. Needs to back it up now.
***
Grand Providence
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: David Probert Age: 4 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 14
Scored three times in 2023 and she she posted a solid 2¼ lengths fifth of 16 to Zoffee in Chester Cup (18.6f, good to firm) 50 days ago. Much respected on her tapeta debut.
***
Island Brave
Trainer: Heather Main Jockey: Ethan Jones Age: 10 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 5
C&D winner but he came in only eighth of 9 in handicap at Ayr (13.1f, good to firm, 22/1) 7 days ago. Back up in trip. Others have achieved more.
**
Trooper Bisdee
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott Bt Jockey: Hollie Doyle Age: 4 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 10
Has continued on the up in 2024 and bids for a hat-trick after wins at Nottingham and Pontefract (18f, good). Scored with lots in hand on latter occasion so he’s a major player under a 5 lb penalty.
*****
Evaluation
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Andrew Mullen Age: 6 Weight: 8st 4lbs Draw: 19
4-time winner for Keith Dalgleish in 2022. Lightly raced since but he capitalised on easing mark on second start for this yard at Wolverhampton (16.5f) in April. Shouldn’t be underestimated after a break.
****
Howth
Trainer: Michael Appleby Jockey: Marco Ghiani Age: 5 Weight: 8st 4lbs Draw: 9
Finally got off the mark for this yard at Wolverhampton and backed it up with a good fourth of 13 in handicap (33/1) at this C&D 92 days ago. Can go well again.
***
Golden Flame
Trainer: Deborah Faulkner Jockey: Duran Fentiman Age: 6 Weight: 8st 3lbs Draw: 11
Eleven runs since last win in 2021 and off for 20 months since coming in fifth of 6 in handicap at Nottingham (14f, heavy) for Charlie & Mark Johnston. Needs to hit the ground running for his new handler.
**
Forza Orta
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: James Sullivan Age: 6 Weight: 8st 3lbs Draw: 17
Winless in 2024 but he recorded a respectable sixth of 13 in handicap at Haydock (16.2f, good to soft, 14/1) 35 days ago. Makes tapeta debut and not ruled out from an easing mark.
***
Rathgar
Trainer: Jack Channon Jockey: Cam Hardie Age: 4 Weight: 8st 0lbs Draw: 3
Latest win at Goodwood in May. 11/2, good second of 15 in handicap at Thirsk (14f, good) 13 days ago. Makes tapeta debut. In the picture despite being 2 lb out of the handicap.
***
Artisan Dancer
Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Andrew Breslin Age: 4 Weight: 7st 13lbs Draw: 2
Course winner. 50/1, creditable third of 15 in handicap at Thirsk (14f, good) 13 days ago but more is needed from 3 lb “wrong” in the weights.
***
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