'It's nice to get the monkey off my back' - Onesmoothoperator gives Geordie Brian Ellison fairytale first Northumberland Plate

Sometimes dreams come true. Brian Ellison had longed to win the Northumberland Plate more than any other race and he finally got his hands on Newcastle's most treasured silverware when Onesmoothoperator powered home for a fairytale success.

Ellison, the son of a Tyneside shipbuilder, was born in the city on Plate day in 1952 and had the race known as the Pitmen's Derby top of his wishlist for many years. 

Although it seemed written in the stars that the dual-purpose trainer would achieve his lifetime ambition, he could have been forgiven for thinking it wasn't meant to be.

The trainer, who turned 72 on Friday, thought his chance might have gone after Seamour was agonisingly denied in 2016, but eight years on his time came in front of a packed crowd of 13,000 locals as Onesmoothoperator broke the course record.

"I've been wanting to win it for a long time," said Ellison. "It's not sunk in yet, but it will do later on and it's fantastic. We thought we'd won it with Seamour when he went clear but he got caught, and we've come here to find the winner before and been disappointed. It's always in the back of your mind you're going to be disappointed."

The elation was not only shared with a large contingent of Ellison's family, but also delighted racegoers who roared their approval at the memorable home victory.

"I'm from here and have a lot of connections here and a lot of family and friends," said Ellison. "It's great for the north and Newcastle. It's a great race to be in. It's the one I've always wanted to win. I've won the Ebor and everyone kept saying you've got to win this, and it's nice to get the monkey off my back."

There is no doubt that 2024 will go down as a vintage year in the Ellison household as this victory came just four months after the trainer had won Newcastle's biggest jump race, the Eider Chase, for the first time.

Ellison's wife Claire was among those sharing hugs and tears for what was an emotional occasion.

"It's the first year we've had a runner in the race since Brian lost his mam Mary, so it's a big thing for the family. She would have been so proud," she said.  

"I just closed my eyes at the finish and I'm speechless. It's just amazing and it's great for the whole team."

Brian Ellison greets Connor Beasley after their big Newcastle winCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Stable jockey Ben Robinson, who is married to the Malton-based trainer's stepdaughter and assistant Jessica, was unable to do the weight on Onesmoothoperator, who won last year's November Handicap here when it was rescheduled from Doncaster.

Instead, he partnered topweight and stablemate Tashkhan, but there was still a strong connection with winning jockey Connor Beasley, who could be seen travelling with a double handful entering the final furlong before drawing right away to win from 40-1 shot Evaluation. 

"Connor used to come to my yard as a baby as his mam and dad worked for me, so we go back a long way," said Ellison. "Ben didn't have the choice because he couldn't do the weight on 8st 9lb, but he's played his part on the gallops."

Onesmoothoperator, whose winning time was 1.07sec lower than the previous best and some 14.07sec faster than the consolation race that preceded it, was the ultimate local hero as he is owned by another proud Geordie in Patrick Boyle, who works for a national construction company.  

"It's great, it's the biggest race in the north-east," he said. "We live just round the corner and have a lot of runners here. We knew he was in great form and he travelled brilliantly. 'Smoothie' has to come off a strong pace at the end of the race and he did just that. 

"Brian's a great friend and there's a big family here and, fair play to him and the team, I think we'll be having a celebration tonight."

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