The Northumberland Plate also known as the Pitmens Derby is run at Newcastle at the end of June each year. The race run over two miles is limited to twenty runners and is a thorough stamina test. I love the stayers races but this one is always difficult to solve and can produce big price winners. I cannot resist the challenge every year ! This year it will be run on heavy ground. A low draw is an advantage. Nosferatu whose trainer Amanda Perrett won the race in 2002 with Bangalore is the antepost favourite but has a high draw. Colloquial whose trainer Henry Candy won the race in 1986 with Sneak Preview also has a high draw. Greenwich Meantime, another with a high draw, has already won the Chester Cup this year but shown his best form on good ground. He was third in this race last year when River Alhaarth was second. River Alhaarth does act on any going and has a reasonable draw. His trainer, Peter Chapple-Hyam, has his horses in fine form and River Alhaarth could go one better this year. Leg Spinner ran fourth in the Ascot Stakes and Juniper Girl ran second. Juniper Girl does act on the heavy ground which is the going forecast for Newcastle. They could be the dangers. Be lucky.