A huge field of 20 runners head to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon for the 2025 Northumberland Plate, which looks a devilishly difficult puzzle for punters in the north east. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers previews the 2m 56y contest and picks out his 1-2-3 for what should be a hugely competitive renewal.
Favourites
Brian Ellison’s Onesmoothoperator was a stunning two-and-a-half length winner of the Northumberland Plate last year, but the seven-year-old has a much bigger task on his plate in this year’s contest, as he looks to carry top weight to victory. Rated 93 in the 2024 race, he takes his chance off 107 here and while he’s been off the track since March having been plying his trade in Meydan, he has failed to get his head in front again, so will need to bounce back on his return to Newcastle.
Fresh from Royal Ascot success, Willie Mullins is looking to land another notable staying handicap prize on the Flat and he bids for a first Northumberland Plate with Pappano, who is a prominent figure in the betting. Last seen pulling up in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, the four-year-old was previously fourth in a Listed race at Ascot on the level, so has to be respected here returning to handicaps.
East India Dock was third in that Triumph Hurdle and showed when winning the Chester Cup last month that he can deliver the goods on the flat. Sixth in the Ascot Stakes last week, James Owen’s raider will be hoping the slight drop back in trip should play to his strengths, but he’s likely to face a tough task out on the front end.
Andrew Balding was amongst the winners at the Royal meeting and he saddles the interesting Who’s Glen, who was a decent fifth in the Chester Cup. Trying a trip beyond two miles for the first time, the four-year-old son of Gleneagles is still lightly-raced and having only been put up 2lbs for that Chester run then could play a notable role off 95.
Golden Rules hasn’t been seen on the track much in recent years, but was a fine second to Calling The Wind in this race back in 2023 off a mark of 94 and he takes his chance off 92 here. He was fourth on his return at Kempton back in March, but should improve significantly for that effort and has to come into calculations.
Outsiders
One race from earlier in the season that could be very informative is the All Weather Championships Marathon contest back in April where Tribal Star (2nd), Duke Of Oxford (4th) and Roaring Legend (6th) all competed. Run over course and distance, all three will need to improve on what they have shown in recent times, but of the trio it’s the latter that makes most appeal as he’s been dropped 1lb by the handicapper and having had wind surgery could improve here.
A winner at Epsom two starts ago, Dylan Cunha’s Asgard’s Captain failed to follow up on his next outing on the Downs, but is one that does line up in decent form, while Spirit Mixer is another shot fired by the aforementioned Balding and that huge outsider was second last time out and could be capable of running a big race.
2025 Northumberland Plate Tips
A real headscratcher for punters, but the one at a big price that stands out is ROARING LEGEND, who does have some very smart form in the book and has to be considered at double-figured odds. Dropped in the weights, he has had wind surgery which could work wonders for the horse that just struggled to see out his race last time out. Who’s Glen looks a potential improver and can chase home Hugo Palmer’s contender, while East India Dock has shown he’s a class act and he can bag the bronze medal.
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