THE Northumberland Plate took place in front of a packed crowd at Newcastle on Saturday, and produced a 16-1 winner in Som Tala.

The nine-year-old trained by Mick Channon made all the running to win Europe’s richest stayers’ handicap under jockey Tony Culhane, who was winning the race for the first time.

Later in the day Culhane and Channon teamed up again by landing the maiden stakes with The Human League at odds of 9-4.

Also in double form at Gosforth Park were Kevin Ryan and his stable jockey Neil Callan. Roker Park got the ball rolling in the totesport6 handicap.

The four year-old is owned by Trevor Alderson who hails from Seaham in Durham, and afterwards the die-hard Sunderland supporter said: “I’d had a winner at every course in the north of England apart from here so it’s great to have done it.”

Alderson didn’t have to wait very long for his second course winner as his colours were carried to victory in the seven furlong handicap by Horatio Carter, again trained by Ryan and well ridden by Callan.

To put the icing on the cake for the Thirsk trainer, Tamagin also came home in front in the totequadpot Heritage Handicap down at Windsor.

The six-year-old made all the running to win under jockey Fergus Sweeney.

Today Pontefract stage an eight race card getting underway at 2.15pm with a handicap over ten furlongs for lady riders.

Hi Dancer was an impressive winner at Hamilton on Thursday evening in a similar event under today’s jockey Emily Stead, who is based with the six-year-old’s trainer Pat Haslam.

The main race of the day, the Spindrifter Conditions Stakes, is at 3.15pm. A little disappointing there is only four runners in the six furlong contest, but still a chance to watch a progressive two-year-old in Kylladdie.

Trained in Tadcaster by Tom Tate, Kylladdie should be able to follow up his recent Ripon win, on the road to bigger and better things.

Plenty of chances to go racing locally this week starting off at Thirsk tomorrow evening, first race at 6.30pm. Catterick race on Wednesday afternoon, the action gets underway at 2.30pm.

Redcar race on Thursday evening starting off at 6:10pm, and if that’s not enough Beverley race on Friday and Saturday.