Quirky but talented Nicholas T fulfils Goldie's Newcastle master plan

There is no point in getting older if you don't get wiser – whether you are the veteran handicapper Nicholas T or his wily trainer Jim Goldie.

No horse as old as nine had ever won the William Hill Northumberland Plate, which was first run back in 1833, yet no horse of that age had been aimed at this 2m Newcastle highlight by the canniest of Scots.

Goldie's 28th year with a licence had already been enlivened by the classy Euchen Glen, who got one over the southern stars when taking the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown as 20-1 outsider of four last month.

Nicholas T: came from last to firstCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

When the trainer sets his sights on a race he can be hard to stop, whether it be Hawkeyethenoo in the Stewards' Cup or Lampion Du Bost and Endless Power over the Grand National fences, and he has had the Plate in mind for Nicholas T from the moment he won here last November.

His runner was sent off at 33-1 before coming from well off the pace – he was backed at 140 on Betfair in running – to collect the £150,000 handicap but success was no surprise to the trainer.

"If anyone cares to look at Nicholas T round here, he won five lengths when we put him in over a mile and a half," Goldie said. "Phil Dennis said he didn't believe he could pick up like that, stayers don't. Well you saw it again today, last to first."

Where he came from

Nicholas T came from last . . .

to first . . .

Nicholas T had won over a mile and a half at York earlier this month to earn the penalty that got him a place in this field.

"The trip was obviously a doubt but it's how you relax them and switch them off," Goldie said. "His last three or four furlongs is probably as good as Euchen Glen's. They invariably don't go a gallop here and they end up with a sprint up the straight. If he got the trip, he'd go very close."

Ben Robinson, who had won three times previously on Nicholas T, carried out the relax-then-pounce tactics to perfection and Goldie said: "Ben has a great affinity with this horse, he really goes for him and he's very talented because the horses relax with him. He is as good as you get."

Robinson was elated at riding the biggest winner of his career and said: "I'm lost for words. My only doubt was staying the two miles as he can be a keen-travelling horse. I switched him off out the back and he got a lovely run up. He put it to bed really well.

"It's unbeatable. It's a race that Brian Ellison, my boss, has wanted to win all his career and for me to win it, for someone else, is really good. Jim is a very, very good trainer and he always manages to get one or two decent animals."

The only doubt for Nicholas T had been when he showed reluctance at the start before finally loading.

"He's a talented horse but he's quirky," Goldie said. "We have problems with him at the stalls and some folk call him hokey-cokey because he goes in and out. The stalls boys do a brilliant job with him, we always get him in."

With fellow double-figure-priced horses Hochfeld (28-1) and Rajinsky (16-1, awarded third on the demotion of Island Brave to fourth) filling the places, the tricast paid £14,279.45 and the Tote Trifecta £30,508.60.

Trueshan was sent off 5-2 favourite in a field of 20 but ran a fine race to finish sixth under 10st 4lb, beaten less than four lengths off a BHA mark of 118.

Read more from Saturday's action:

Hurricane Lane storms home to deny Lone Eagle in epic Irish Derby

Expert jury: how far can Hurricane Lane go after his Irish Derby triumph?

Newcastle: Chil Chil too hot for handicaps now and could head to July Cup

Newmarket: training legend Clive Brittain back on the July course to honour his late wife

Windsor: old favourite Century Dream lands Listed spoils for team Crisford

Racing Post exclusive offer. New customers can get £30 in free bets. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6 x £5 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets redeemable on horse racing only. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.