Richard Birch sets the scene for a sizzling Saturday highlighted by Onesmoothoperator's bid to retain the Northumberland Plate

What’s the big story?

Newcastle takes centre stage, with the £150,000 JenningsBet Northumberland Plate (3.15) providing a big-field puzzle to test the skill and judgement of any punter.

The Pitmen’s Derby is a race with a wonderful history dating back to 1833 and, like the Derby, was staged on a Wednesday for many years and celebrated as a holiday for local mine workers.

It was won last year by Newcastle-born trainer Brian Ellison, who fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition when landing the famous two-miler with Onesmoothoperator.

The seven-year-old bids to retain his title off a 12lb higher mark, and Ellison believes he has improved significantly since.

Remember the trainer’s words after Onesmoothoperator’s comfortable success 12 months ago? “Turning in I said, ‘this has hacked up’, and Connor [Beasley] said he could have won on the bridle.”

It would be no surprise to Ellison if his stable star proved up to the task once again.

Onesmoothoperator15:15 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Connor Beasley Tnr: Brian Ellison

What are the other points of Northumberland Plate interest?

James Owen saddles four of the 20 runners, namely East India Dock, Lavender Hill Mob, Charging Thunder and Shajak.

East India Dock, a beaten 5-4 favourite in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, gained rich compensation when landing the Chester Cup last month prior to finishing sixth in the Ascot Stakes.

Willie Mullins, whose Poniros defeated East India Dock at the festival, is represented by Pappano, one of three Irish runners in the field.

Which is the feature race in Ireland?

It’s the eve of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh, where on Sunday Lambourn will attempt to follow up his commanding Epsom success.

The Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (3.30) is the focal point of an eight-race Saturday card in which the Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana will attempt to give 12lb to the year-younger Whirl. Based on her highly encouraging reappearance third to Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month, she has an excellent chance of doing so.

Kalpana15:30 Curragh

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Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: Andrew Balding

What are the main attractions at York?

Lake Forest, a highly creditable fifth in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, takes a significant drop in class as he makes a quick return to action in the £100,000 Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (2.25).

Jm Jungle, winner of the Dash at Epsom three weeks ago, is likely to make a bold bid to follow up in the Al Basti Equiword Dubai Dash Handicap (3.00).

What are the best bets of the day?

Dream Out Loud catches the eye in York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sprint Handicap (4.50), and Makes Me Wonder can put a disappointing Yarmouth run behind him in Windsor’s Thames Alfa Romeo Apprentice Handicap (1.35).

Saturday's ITV Racing schedule

1.40 Newcastle JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap 6f
1.55 York Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile Handicap 1m
2.10 Newcastle JenningsBet Chipchase Stakes (Group 3) 6f
2.25 York Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (Group 3) 7f
2.40 Newcastle JenningsBet Festival Northumberland Vase Handicap 2m½f
3.00 York Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash Handicap 5f
3.15 Newcastle JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap 2m½f
3.30 Curragh  Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f
3.45 Newcastle Pertemps Network Handicap 7f

Read more here

Who will win the big races in Britain and Ireland this weekend based on previous trends? 

Joseph O'Brien excited to turn the tables on Lambourn in the Irish Derby as Epsom 1-2-3 meet again 

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