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Trueshan faces top weight challenge in Northumberland Plate

Alan King's Trueshan is one of the stars of the staying division and will attempt to lump top weight to victory in the Northumberland Plate win at Newcastle on Saturday, June 25.

Trueshan will face a field of 19 and also concede upwards of 19 pounds in the search for a Northumberland Plate win at Newcastle on Saturday June 25.

Alan King's stayer swerved Ascot due to the dry conditions and the Barbury Castle handler will be hoping for a drop of rain in the North East ahead of the historic race.
Sixth in last year's Northumberland Plate, six-year-old Trueshan went on to push leading long distance runner Stradivarius and won the Goodwood Cup, the Prix du Cadran and the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.
A return at Nottingham in April saw Planteur gelding Trueshan run on to a simple three lengths win over a mile and six furlongs in the East Midlands with Hughie Morrison's Quickthorn in second.
King had hoped to run Trueshan in the Ascot Gold Cup won by Kyprios but scorching temperatures in Berkshire meant that the gelding was re-routed to Newcastle instead.
There is rain in the forecast on Friday in the North-East which means Trueshan has a fair chance of running.
While King booked Rhys Clutterbuck in the race last year due to his ability claim five pounds off Trueshan's back, this year regular rider Hollie Doyle will take the reins, meaning no let off from the full weight burden of 10st eight pounds.
Trueshan might have expected to be antepost favourite if not off top-weight but that leaves Hugo Palmer's Rajinsky to carry favouritism after placing third in the race last year.
Geordie trainer Brian Ellison will be hoping for a home city victory for his Onesmoothoperator who won on debut at Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Charlie Appleby's Bandinelli can't be discounted, coming from the powerful Godolphin stables and a good all-weather staying winner in March at Kempton.
King has another pair of runners in the form of 2019 Northumberland Plate winner Who Dares Wins plus Rainbow Dreamer who won a nice long distance race at Wolverhampton in January.
The Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap takes place at Newcastle racecouse in the North East of England on Saturday, June 25. The Class 2 race goes to post at 15.35 on the Tapeta all-weather track and will be shown live on ITV Racing.

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