Dispelling the draw myth that once captivated Northumberland Plate punters

3.35 Newcastle
Betfair Northumberland Plate Handicap | 2m½f, 3yo+ | ITV/SKY

When run on turf the Pitmen’s Derby was one of the most famous draw races in the racing calendar and that was always one of the great conundrums. It seemed strange to emphasise the importance of the draw for a two-mile race, but the start is close to the first bend and runners drawn wide often struggled to get a favourable early position.

Before the switch to the all-weather in 2016, 11 of the 16 winners this century had come from single-figure stalls and it seemed you had to be drawn low or you were disadvantaged. Don’t be fooled now though.