ELLENS ACADEMY, agonisingly beaten by a whisker in the fiercely-competitive Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot, has an outstanding chance of gaining deserved compensation on a truly superb supporting card for Newcastle's Northumberland Plate day.

Punters hoping to build up their kitty for the big race at 3.50 could do worse than start by siding with Eric Alston's sprinter in the Group 3 Johns Smith's Extra Smooth Chipchase Stakes.

For sure Ellens Academy was involved in a desperately hard tussle when touched off by Nice One Clare at Ascot.

But on the plus side the tough-as-teak sprinter appears to be thriving on his work, which includes a pulsating six length success in a lightning fast time at Doncaster in May.

Luckless Pip's Magic (3.15) might also help bolster funds in the following Tote Exacta Northern Handicap.

Tony Culhane's mount was checked at a vital moment when a fair third in a warmish contest won by the fast-improving Cold Climate at Redcar last Saturday. Fifth home Prix Star has already franked the form in no uncertain terms by bolting in at Hamilton earlier this week, a result which could prove to be a tip in itself for Pip's Magic.

I doubt whether Turku (5.20) is much more than 15 hands high, however what he lacks in height he more than makes up for in engine room.

Stocky and full of power, Mark Johnston's three-year-old colt wasted little excess energy in showing his rivals a clean pair of heels over a mile under a big weight at Ripon recently.

He now steps back a furlong for the Good Morning Handicap, a switch not likely to be too much of an inconvenience considering the amount of pace has in the locker.

Johnston's firepower is so great these days, Turku might conceivably be completing a treble for the Middleham handler as Love Everlasting (4.20), together with Penny Pictures (4.50), merit the greatest respect in the preceding two races.

The Group 3 Criterion Stakes is the highlight of Newmarket's meeting, featuring a brace of high-class seven furlong horses, Shibboleth and Reel Buddy, both of whom disappointed at Royal Ascot.

Henry Cecil has opted to fit Shibboleth with a tongue strap for the first time, a ploy quite likely to pay dividends in the £35,000 showpiece.

Chester's tight turns are tailor-made for the free running Yarob (2.00), entitled to take the opening Castle Claiming Stakes provided he is on his best behaviour.

My speed figures indicate Miss C (3.35) should be out on her own in the Cestrian Novice Stakes. Reg Hollinshead's speedy filly produced the goods when napped by this column at Beverley at the beginning of the month, winning with a ton in hand under Graham Gibbons, pound-for-pound one of most promising young apprentices currently riding.

If you're still game for a flutter at a few minutes short of 9pm, then don't miss Secret Conquest (8.55) in the closing Fillies Handicap at Doncaster.

David Barker's runner has tumbled down the ratings since her two-year-old days, and in all frankness really does appear to be a quintessential steering job.

Sunday's Irish Derby at The Curragh serves up a race to savour between Galileo (3.30) and Golan, first and second respectively in the Epsom equivalent.

It's a sporting gesture by Golan's team to have another crack after being made to look positively pedestrian by Aiden O'Brien's super-star.

The rain-softened ground is one good reason to believe the gap between the two might be a shade closer, although the odds are still stacked on Galileo to confirm his status as Europe's leading middle-distance three-year-old.