Caravan Of Hope brings huge Plate cheer for Hugo Palmer and Harry Bentley

Caravan Of Hope fulfilled a lifetime ambition for Hugo Palmer by winning the Betfair Northumberland Plate – and saved a potentially disastrous afternoon for Harry Bentley.

His trainer may be based in Newmarket but has made no secret of his desire to win the biggest Flat race run on a track which means so much to him.

Watch Caravan of Hope win the Northumberland Plate

The jockey went into the race having missed out on potential Group 3 success when Aloe Vera had to be scratched from the Hoppings Fillies' Stakes and then watched his old partner Limato score at the same level at Newmarket.

Nor did starting from stall 17 fill him with much confidence for the 2m½f Plate, even though his mount had been backed in to 9-2 favourite from 8-1.

Harry Bentley celebrates success in the Northumberland Plate at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"From that draw I was slightly concerned I would either be posted too wide or I'd sit further off the pace than ideal," the jockey said. "But the way it turned out was perfect. I got a handy position one off the rail.

"I heard a bit of screaming behind me round the bottom bend – but you don't mind when it's behind you! I was always comfortable, he settled nicely and the step up in distance has been perfect for him. It's a long last two furlongs here but he stuck it out very well."

Caravan Of Hope scored by a length and a half from his recent Wolverhampton conqueror Australis, with stablemate Collide another half length away in third.

Palmer watched from Newmarket and said: "I didn't know which one to cheer, I was just shouting 'go on boys!'

"I'm a Newcastle United fan, I grew up just north of there, I went to university there and the Plate is one of those races I've dreamt of winning. There aren't many handicaps on the bucket list but this is one of them. I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. It's wonderful, it's a really historic race and I'm thrilled to have won it.

"Caravan Of Hope was very tough and Harry gave him a wonderful ride, as did Ben Curtis on Collide. You'd think of the Ebor for both but we can't get carried away, Caravan of Hope has won off 89 and he'll need about 17lb to even get in. Collide is off 105 but wouldn't have got in last year."

Bentley had been looking forward to riding the unbeaten Aloe Vera, who was also forced to miss Royal Ascot.

"I think she would have run a massive race," he said. "She trotted up lame and she couldn't run, which was unfortunate because she's very talented."

Bentley won five races on Limato, including last year's Criterion Stakes in which the evergreen eight-year-old scored under Adam Kirby less than an hour before the Plate.

"It wasn't easy watching Limato win but I thought Adam gave him a fantastic ride," the jockey said. "He looked very good off a long break.

"It's a shame I'm not riding but it's nice to see him win, he's a horse I've had a great connection with. It was great to see Limato get his head in front but it's fantastic to win the Northumberland Plate."

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