The Northumberland Plate, also known as the Pitmen’s Derby, looks a wide open race this weekend.

Ante-post favourite Bukit Tinggi probably didn’t quite get home over the 2m 4f at Royal Ascot but ran an excellent race in fourth – beaten about a neck.

He will be better suited by the 2m here but had a very hard race last time. The winner that day, the David Pipe-trained Mamlook is the most likely the one to take out of the race.

He would not be inconvenienced by any rain and it is worth noting that five of the last 11 winners of this race were successful at Royal Ascot.

The David Arbuthnot-trained Desert Sea is definitely of interest. Having his first run for eight months he won very easily over 1m 6f at Sandown two weeks ago. He will be very well suited by the return to 2m.

Carrying a 5lb penalty for his win at Sandown the horse still looks well handicapped. When a close second at Sandown in 2007 he handled softish ground very well.

The John Dunlop-trained Double Banded comfortably beat Tilt over 1m 6f at Nottingham in April. Behind the same horse in the Chester Cup he did not appear comfortable on the tight turning course.

The more galloping nature of Newcastle will suit well. He has won over 2m at Newmarket and is another who would cope with any softening of the ground.

Desert Sea looked a stayer of immense promise at Sandown and must be the selection.

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