A full field of 20 will go to post on Saturday for the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate, run over 2m½f and worth £150,000, including the well-backed Circus Of Rome for Richard Hughes who won this with Calling The Wind in 2023.
The 4-year-old holds an intriguing profile, having never raced beyond 1m6f before and he was last seen over 1m at Sandown Park. This represents quite the step up in trip for the former course winner.
Roger Varian has never trained the winner of the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate before, but Ride The Thunder is a very interesting runner for him this Saturday.
The Victorious Forever-owned gelding was third behind the improving Valiancy on his only start this season. He could have plenty more to offer as he steps up to 2m for the first time.
Ewan Whillans’ course-and-distance winner Team Player was beaten just under three-lengths in the Chester Cup last time and has seemingly been kept fresh for this race.
Local man Brian Ellison finally ended his hoodoo in the Pitmen’s Derby with Onesmoothoperator in 2024, and he will be represented this year by both Saint Etienne and Tashkhan.
No horse has achieved back-to-back wins in this race since Tug Of War in 1978 but Spirit Mixerwill attempt just that for Andrew Balding. He caused a slight shock to win the race last year and will bid to become the first 8-year-old since Mirjan in 2004 to win this.
Dancing In Paris was only beaten a neck by Spirit Mixer in last year’s renewal. This will be just his second start of 2026. Three-time course winner Asgard’s Captain is another player from last year’s race who will be looking to achieve a career-best in winning this prestigious handicap.
Synergism has been steadily improving for Sir Mark Prescott over the past 12 months, and he made a winning seasonal debut at Lingfield Park last month. He is a dual winner over this trip and has a strike rate of 3-7 on the all-weather.
The Irish last won this in 2008 with Tony Martin’s Arc Bleu. Martin is back for more success at Gosforth Park this year with Zanndabad who won ‘The French Furze’ Novices’ Hurdle over hurdles at this track back in November. Tribal Star is another Irish runner for trainer Adrian McGuinness.
Latest Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate odds: Circus Of Rome 7/2f, Ride The Thunder 8/1, Saint Etienne 8/1, Synergism 17/2, Prydwen 11/1, Team Player 11/1, Moon Over Miami, Spirit Mixer 12/1, Zanndabad 12/1, BAR 14/1
The consolation race for the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate, which is known as the JenningsBet Festival Northumberland Vase Handicap, will also feature a full field of 20. Alan King’s hat-trick seeking Believitanducan is likely to be a popular choice among punters, with the jockey booking of William Buick particularly notable.
A field of 12 will go to post for the Jenningsbet Chipchase Stakes (G3) including last year’s victor Diligent Harry. He will look to make history and become the first-ever back-to-back winner of this contest.
No trainer has won more renewals of this race than William Haggas (Sense of Duty 2022, Tiber Flow 2023, Montassib 2024) who sends Wiltshire to the North-East as he goes in search of a fourth success in this Group race.
Tickets are still available to purchase online or at the gate. We are looking forward to a great day of top-class racing followed by a live set from Day Fever.
