Trueshan defies huge weight for 'unreal' Northumberland Plate victory

Saturday: Newcastle

They knew something special was in the offing when the lord mayor paraded down the course in a horse-drawn carriage with the original trophy from 1833 and Trueshan did not let them down.

Never in the 189 years since has there been anything like this in the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate – or in any other handicap in modern times.

Top-class stayer though he is, the Alan King-trained Trueshan was racing off a BHA rating of 120, carrying a weight of 10st 8lb and running as a prep for the Goodwood Cup, having missed a firm-ground Royal Ascot.

Only one of the four owners made the trip – and why would you? Just one horse since 1988 had run in a handicap off so high a mark and none had come close to winning when faced with such a task.

Yet nobody told Trueshan or Hollie Doyle, who was fresh from becoming the first woman to ride the winner of a Group 1 European Classic last weekend and joyfully smashed another glass ceiling.

There were roars from the 17,500 gathered for the first Plate day since full crowds returned as the heavily backed 3-1 favourite battled to a half-length defeat of Spirit Mixer, who was getting 2st and was ridden by Callum Hutchinson, the son of King's former stable jockey Wayne Hutchinson.

There were roars from the 17,500 gathered for the first Plate day since full crowds returnedCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"That is unreal," said Doyle, after winning her seventh race from eight rides on Trueshan. "But I had to give him a squeeze and I don't usually have to do that. He's never had to battle hard to win a race, he's always won so easily. But his ears pinned back and he really knuckled down. He wasn't getting beaten."

Asked if he thought victory had been possible, Buckinghamshire-based part-owner Alan Marsh said: "No, of course not. It's well documented we were running because we couldn't run at Ascot. We're aiming for the Goodwood Cup and we needed a run.

"I only decided to come at three o'clock yesterday afternoon when I got to King's Cross and found there was a train. I'm the only one of the four owners here. Thank goodness they can't put us up for the Goodwood Cup!

"Hollie told us exactly how she was going to ride him and she did it. We just tell her to get on with it and she does it. She knows the horse very well. All credit to her."

Success is breeding success for Doyle, who said: "I can't complain how things are going but I'm pretty greedy, once I get a taste of success I want more and more. I'll do all I can to keep it going. Long may it continue.

"Next weekend I'm going to ride the second favourite in the German Derby. I got the call-up from the trainer after what happened at Chantilly. That's what you want really."

Success is breeding success for Hollie DoyleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

How good could she be?

Tom Marquand scored an impressive win on "exciting" Sense Of Duty then said "God knows how good she could be."

The William Haggas-trained filly had made it three wins from four starts when following up a Redcar reappearance victory by landing the Listed Cecil Frail at Haydock, seeing off Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Flotus, who finished third in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup last week.

And Sense Of Duty, who bypassed Royal Ascot, made a smooth step up to Group 3 company as she came home an easy four-and-a-half-length winner of the Pertemps Network Chipchase Stakes.

Marquand said: "When I got off her at Redcar I was really impressed with her and then she went out and beat Flotus, who has Group 1 form and showed it again at Ascot. I hope she can make the step up to that class at some point and show her true colours.

"She's just really getting the hang of it now, she's levelled up, she's more professional and she's a hell of a lot stronger too. She's becoming the complete sprinting model as she progresses. She's shaping up to be an exciting filly."

Sense Of Duty: Made it four wins from just five starts with an impressive success in the Chipchase StakesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Making a point

Clearpoint, who was ante-post favourite when ruled out of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, earned a belated step up to Group company with a ready win in the novice event.

"He just didn't scope as I wanted before Ascot but he's a pretty smart horse and we like him a lot," said trainer Richard Fahey.

"He's got a great mind, he's a very talented horse and he'll go to the July Stakes now. I just wanted to get another run into him – I didn't work him this week, I ran him instead.

"To be honest I think he's a star – a future star, one of the few."

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