The Northumberland Plate was previously known as the "Pitmen's Derby" and it originally took place on a Wednesday afternoon. The race then switched to a Saturday afternoon feature in 1952.
Established in 1833, the Northumberland Plate is now one of the richest two-mile handicaps in the world.
Since 2016, it has been run on an artificial all-weather surface, tapeta, having previously been run on the turf.
It may not be Royal Ascot 2019, but Plate Day is the biggest event of the year at the High Gosforth Park course, and after racing the band Madness will perform classics from their huge back catalogue to the assembled crowd.
With any luck you’ll be on a night boat to Cairo after reading through our big race preview...
Northumberland Plate 2019: Runners & Riders
Mootasadir (Hugo Palmer)
Boasts a perfect six wins from six starts on an artificial surface and should be back at home on this surface. Last time out he ran in the Belmont Gold Cup (turf) in the United States where he finished seventh. Looks overpriced in the horse racing odds at around 25/1.
Austrian School (Mark Johnston)
Austrian School should relish this track and distance, especially being a half brother to a dual Grand National winner and he could easily creep into proceedings at the business end of the race. Probably found his last race at York a little on the short side.
Red Galileo (Saeed Bin Suroor)
The Godolphin-owned gelding was a consistent sort in Meydan over the winter and he improved on his York reappearance by taking a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket last time. He stayed every inch of that 1m 6f race and will be fine back at 2m on the tapeta.
Making Miracles (Mark Johnston)
Won this season’s Chester Cup by a country mile in atrocious conditions on the Roodee. I would be inclined to think that his Chester exertions have taken their toll based upon his follow up runs.
Desert Skyline (David Elsworth)
Finished fifth to Stradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup before completing in the same spot behind Gold Mount at the same venue. Looks to have plenty to find on the form book.
Withhold (Roger Charlton)
Last year’s winner has not been seen since being beaten in Australia when he was being prepared for the Melbourne Cup. Runs of an 8lb higher mark this year but has proved he can do the job after a long layoff.
Gibbs Hill (Roger Varian)
Roger Varian's runner has been absent since scoring at Kempton in July 2017 but an almighty gamble has seen him emerge as the antepost favourite. However, it will take a strong leap of faith to back a horse that has been off the track 724 days.
Proschema (Tom Dascombe)
Third to Red Galileo last time out and appeared to struggle getting that trip. Hard to see this four-year-old turning that result around.
Stratum (Willie Mullins)
Stratum won over hurdles last month and has to enter calculations based on that plus he is trained by the master Irish NH man. He was well fancied for the Cesarewitch last year but ran very poorly in that.
King's Advice (Mark Johnston)
There’s been six handicap wins on the bounce for Johnston’s winning machine since arriving from Germany, but there is a suspicion that this distance may just be out of his reach.
Who Dares Wins (Alan King) - Each Way NAP
Who Dares Wins produced a career-best performance when runner-up in last month’s Chester Cup, a race he excels in, having finished in the frame in the last three.
Winner of the Cesarewitch Trial at Newmarket last year, Who Dares Wins has experienced the tapeta twice before, winning one and finishing third in the other. He should put up a bold show under Tom Marquand.
Aircraft Carrier (John Ryan)
Broke the record for the extended two miles at Wolverhampton over the winter but has been struggling off a rating of 100 since. A 43-day break may bring about some renewed vigour.
Dubawi Fifty (Karen McLintock) - Each Way NB
The six-year-old, owned by Paul and Clare Rooney, is fit and ready for the prestigious two-mile handicap according to his team.
He must hold every chance based on his second to the Willie Mullins-trained Lagostovegas in the Ascot Stakes.
Cohesion (David Bridgwater)
Has gone off the boil somewhat since showing some early promise when trained in France. He has finished stone last on his last three runs and will need to find something extraordinary to figure here.
Fearsome (Nick Littmoden)
The Makfi gelding started 2019 off in fine form but he has been on the wain since. This dual purpose performer is another who will need a career best to be in with a shout here.
Shabeeb (Ian Williams)
Shabeeb was last seen when being pulled up in the Chester Cup, which he can be excused for as he was returning from a one year layoff. Conditions will be very much better on Saturday and he could run well at big odds.
Bartholomeu Dias (Charlie Hills)
Front running type who won a 14-runner contest at Newcastle last time by ½ length from Forbidden Planet. Hard to make all in a race of this nature and he will probably get picked off by a couple late in the day.
Cosmelli (Gay Kelleway)
Beaten only three lengths in the 2017 running of the Northumberland Plate, the six-year-old has become a frustrating sort to follow. He failed to stay in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot last time so the jury is out on his optimum distance.
Speedo Boy (Ian Williams)
Speedo Boy has performed well on artificial surfaces before and ran a solid enough race behind Red Galileo last time. Won an Intermediate Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last November so is clearly a thorough stayer.
Time To Study (Ian Williams)
The five-year-old finished sixth behind Withhold last year and on his most recent run he came third to The Grand Visir at the Royal Ascot meeting. Whether this race has come too soon for him remains to be seen.
Northumberland Plate 2019: Conclusion
888sport suggests: Who Dares Wins & Dubawi Fifty (e/w) who both can be backed through our sports betting link.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
