'He's a better horse this year' - Chester Cup winner Zoffee one of fifty still in contention for Saturday's Northumberland Plate

Hugo Palmer believes Zoffee is a better horse this year as he bids to follow up last month's Chester Cup success with victory in Saturday's £150,000 Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate (3.10) at Newcastle.

The eight-year-old has course-and-distance form at the track having landed the Northumberland Vase in 2022. He also finished 15th of 19 in this race last year and could be one of two representatives for Palmer along with Solent Gateway, who finished third behind Trueshan in 2022.

Palmer, who landed this race with Caravan Of Hope in 2020, said: "Zoffee has been in really good shape, he looks fantastic and this has been the plan since Chester. 

"He's up in the handicap a bit, but he very nearly won the Chester Cup last year off 93, so I'm pretty happy with 94 for him to have a crack. He's a better horse this year and he's in better order than he was when he went to Chester last year, so hopefully we can defy the rise."

Zoffee competed in the Ascot Stakes at the royal meeting before this race 12 months ago and Palmer is more confident of his chances with him being freshened up since his win last month.

He said: "Last year we tried to do the Ascot Stakes and Northumberland Plate, but we avoided it this year. It was stamina-sapping and it took a lot out of him. I think they both left their races there last year.

"Zoffee won the Vase in great style so the surface won't be any problem for him."

Fifty potential runners remained in contention at the five-day confirmation stage with a maximum final field of 20 permitted. Ante-post favourite Pledgeofallegiance could make a quick turnaround following last week's Royal Ascot success for Sir Mark Prescott. 

Ascot Stakes winner Pledgeofallegiance remains in contention for the Northumberland PlateCredit: Patrick McCann

The four-year-old, who ended his trainer's 28-year wait for a winner at the royal meeting by landing the Ascot Stakes, could run alongside stablemates True Legend and Trooper Bisdee.

Irish raider Alphonse Le Grande, who won the Chester Plate last month, is prominent in the early betting for trainer Cathy O'Leary, who could also saddle Belgoprince, En Or and Firstman, all of whom were trained by O'Leary's brother Tony Martin before he was suspended for three months in May.

Andrew Balding is well represented, with Chester Cup fifth Grand Providence the shortest price in the ante-post betting of his four remaining entries. Contacto, Wild Waves and Spirit Mixer provide the Kingsclere trainer with a strong hand at this stage.

Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate (3.10 Newcastle, Saturday)
bet365: 8 Pledgeofallegiance, Alphonse Le Grande, Grand Providence, 10 Zoffee, Trooper Bisdee, Prydwen, 12 Onesmoothoperator, Duke Of Oxford, Yashin, 14 Tashkhan, 16 Spartan Army, 20 bar

Northumberland Plate confirmations

Tashkhan Brian Ellison
Prydwen George Scott
Yashin Jessica Harrington
Davideo Ralph Beckett
Spartan Army Alan King
Zoffee Hugo Palmer
Onesmoothoperator Brian Ellison
Pledgeofallegiance Sir Mark Prescott
True Legend Sir Mark Prescott
Too Friendly James Owen
Zealandia Ian Williams
Spirit Mixer Andrew Balding
Duke Of Oxford Michael Bell
Solent Gateway Hugo Palmer
Grand Providence Andrew Balding
Island Brave Heather Main
Evaluation Lucinda Russell
Howth Mick Appleby
Charging Thunder David O'Meara
Golden Flame Deborah Faulkner
Forza Orta Kevin Ryan
Tenerife Sunshine Charlie Johnston
Firstman Cathy O'Leary
Trooper Bisdee Sir Mark Prescott
Shagpyle William Muir and Chris Grassick
Rathgar Jack Channon
Cavern Club James Owen
Artisan Dancer Charlie Johnston
Legendary Day Adrian Keatley
Single Jack Channon
Alphonse Le Grande Cathy O'Leary
Sir Chauvelin Jim Goldie
Bringbackmemories Iain Jardine
Speedo Boy Ian Williams
Faylaq Jim Goldie
Chillhi Brian Ellison
Belgoprince Cathy O'Leary
Haveyoumissedme Iain Jardine
Zimmerman Tim Easterby
En Or Cathy O'Leary
The Predictor Richard Fahey
Green Team Ian Williams
Baez Jim Goldie
Soowaih Jim Goldie
Wild Waves Andrew Balding
Pons Aelius Charlie Johnston
The Churchill Lad Rebecca Menzies
Marbuzet Tim Easterby
Show No Feat Rebecca Menzies
Contacto Andrew Balding

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