IT IS Newcastle’s big day this afternoon with the Northumberland Plate, the Gosforth Park Cup and the Group Three Chipchase Stakes.

Due off at 3.35, the big staying handicap doesn’t have as much strength in depth as in recent years and that could very well be down to the big drop in prize money. Still, the top-weight runs off 108 and there are four other entries set to race off three figures, so the bottom hasn’t completely fallen out of this famous old race.

Mark Johnston has a couple of entries at either end of the handicap with the prolific winner King’s Advice and featherweight (in comparison) Anyonecanhaveitall the choice of stable jockey Joe Fanning.