Northumberland Plate: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Timeform
28 June 2019

The Northumberland Plate is Newcastle's highlight of the year

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Timeform bring you their comprehensive runner-by-runner guide to Saturday's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, and pick out their 1-2-3...

"...he was impressive at Kempton when last seen in 2017 and there's no shortage of stamina in his pedigree."

Timeform on Gibbs Hill

1. Mootasadir (Hugo Palmer/Dylan Hogan)
Boasts a perfect All-Weather record of 6-6 and merits respect as a consequence, but he didn't appear to get home on his first try over two miles in Grade 2 company at Belmont Park 22 days ago, and has something to prove here as a consequence.

2. Austrian School (Mark Johnston/Silvestre De Sousa)
Has long since shaped like a stayer to follow, though he doesn't win as often as he perhaps should, and did too much too soon when fourth of seven in a listed race at York last time. He remains in good form, but this mark may prove beyond him, and his draw in stall 19 is far from ideal.

3. Red Galileo (Saeed bin Suroor/Thomas Greatrex)
Proved as good as ever when returning to winning ways in a first-time hood over two furlongs shorter at Newmarket last time out, keeping on well. He carries a penalty for that, and is passed over considering he's only won three times from 39 starts.

4. Making Miracles (Mark Johnston/Ben Curtis)
Turned in a rare poor effort when a well beaten sixth of seventh in a listed race at York last time, when, like his stablemate Austrian School, he did too much too soon. He's capable of smart handicap form at his peak, but has something to prove off his current mark.

5. Desert Skyline (David Elsworth/Joshua Bryan)
Like Austrian School and Making Miracles, he is another who did too much too soon at York last time out, and considering he arrives here drawn widest of all, he's going to need a big revival to take this on his tapeta debut.

6. Withhold (Roger Charlton/Non-Runner)
Non-Runner.

7. Gibbs Hill (Roger Varian/Andrea Atzeni)
Lightly-raced for his age, and hasn't been seen for 724 days. Looked a smart handicapper when last seen, but has been subject to a huge ante-post gamble all week. He has both his stamina and wellbeing to prove here, but he possesses plenty of potential and it would be folly to ignore his claims considering his strength in the market.

8. Proschema (Tom Dascombe/Jane Elliott)
Finished a creditable third at Newmarket last time out, when shaping as though he would be suited by the step up to two miles. If able to cope with the extra two furlongs, he ought to make his presence felt and is respect on his first All-Weather outing.

9. Stratum (Willie Mullins/L.F. Roche)
Didn't need to be at his best to justify short odds to open his account over hurdles at Ballinrobe last month, and will arrive here fit. He's a smart performer on the Flat and commands plenty of respect for a yard which does particularly well in this type of contest.

10. King's Advice (Mark Johnston/P.J. McDonald)
One of the most progressive horses in the line-up, and arrives here having complete a six-timer at Goodwood last time out, digging deep to just hold on. The step up to two miles asks something else of him, but it would be folly to rule out further progress.

11. Who Dares Wins (Alan King/Tom Marquand)
A regular in this sphere, and placed in the Chester Cup for the third successive year last month, finishing second. Raised 1 lb for that, he will continue to give a good account in staying contests and is a good each-way proposition.

12. Aircraft Carrier (John Ryan/Brett Doyle)
Was out of his depth when last of eight behind Stradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup last month, and he switches back into handicap company off a steep-looking mark, meaning hopes are pinned on a first-time visor sparking improvement.

13. Dubawi Fifty (Karen McLintock/Luke Morris)
Course and distance winner in the past, who was an excellent second in the Ascot Stakes when last seen last June. He's been absent since, but stays all day and will be a threat if ready to go on reappearance (has won after a break in the past).

14. Cohesion (David Bridgwater/Stevie Donohoe)
Finished last of five in a minor contest at Leicester last time out and is readily passed over now tried over significantly further here.

15. Fearsome (Nick Littmoden/Graham Lee)
Has held his form well so far this year, and although this is easier after flying too high when last of five in a Group 3 contest at Sandown last month, his current mark is steep enough and he looks up against it.

16. Shabeeb (Ian Williams/Paul Hanagan)
Was seemingly bought with the Chester Cup in mind, but was pulled-up on heavy ground in that contest last month. Isn't one to write off just yet considering he looked a good prospect when winning at Newmarket in May 2018, but has plenty to prove.

17. Bartholomeu Dias (Charles Hills/Kieran Shoemark)
Recorded a career-best when returning to winning ways over a mile and a half here in April, but was seen to best effect that day and although he has an excellent record on the tapeta, this represents a trip into the unknown trip wise under a 4 lb rise.

18. Cosmelli (Gay Kelleway/Daniel Muscutt)
Has won over course and distance in the past, but eleven races have passed since then and he looks up against it in this company.

19. Speedo Boy (Ian Williams/Jason Waston)
Finished a creditable second to Red Galileo at Newmarket last time, and has solid each-way claims off the same mark here.

20. Time To Study (Ian Williams/Kerrin McEvoy)
Ran a screamer to finish third at Royal Ascot 11 days ago. His yard are in fine form at the moment and he can't be discounted considering he's 12 lb lower than when finishing sixth in this race last year.

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Timeform’s Northumberland Plate Analyst Verdict
Both his wellbeing and stamina need taking on trust but GIBBS HILL, the subject of a major ante-post gamble, could turn out to be a cut-above these rivals. Indeed, he was impressive at Kempton when last seen in 2017 and there's no shortage of stamina in his pedigree. With last year's winner Withhold missing, Speedo Boy and Who Dares Wins may emerge as the main dangers.

Northumberland Plate 1-2-3
1. Gibbs Hill
2. Speedo Boy
3. Who Dares Wins