Time to uncork the Vino in Pitmans Derby

We head up north this Saturday for the Northumberland Plate better known as the "Pitmans Derby". A top prize of £81,000 up for grabs in a valuable race for stayers.

I am happy to back just the one in this years Northumberland Plate. Vino Victrix can be forgiven his run in the Chester Cup on soft ground, when using up too much petrol to get on the front end during the early part of that race. He can be settled midfield from a good draw in stall 6 and ridden for a bit of luck and clean run up the long finishing straight here.

Benoit De La Sayette has lost his claim but is a rider I think will make it right to the top if not close to it. He rode Vino Victrix to finish second in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last season when rated a pound lower. He looks fairly treated on a mark of 92. Vino Victrix has a strong record on the all-weather with 1 win and 5 places from 8 runs.

It's completitive as you would expect for a heritage handicap with 19 runners. Zoffee won the consolation race here last season easily and should be competitive. However, he looks handicapped to the hilt on 95. Post Impressionist is one that could be ahead of the handicapper. We haven't seen this William Haggas trained runner since he won a 3yo heritage handicap over 1m6f nicely at York last October. He ran once at Newcastle before when second to subsequent St Leger winner Eldar Elvarov!

Newcastle 2:05

1 point each way Vino Victrix 11/1 Bet365, 6 places else 11/1 Unibet & 888sport, both 5 places.

Best of Luck, Nicky