'He's a star' - Spirit Mixer denies Dancing In Paris in ding-dong battle to spring 25-1 Northumberland Plate upset

The JenningsBet Northumberland Plate owed Spirit Mixer after what it did to him three years ago and it repaid him on Saturday.

In 2022 the stayer, owned and bred by Jeff Smith, came to Newcastle after a career-best effort at Chester and looked poised to land one of the most prestigious long-distance handicaps when he hit the front a furlong out.

But the impossible happened and Trueshan, carrying no less than 10st 8lb and racing off a BHA mark of 120, caught him inside the final furlong.

Spirit Mixer beat the rest readily and would have been a worthy winner, had it not been for the greatest handicap performance seen on the Flat this century.

"He's a star," said jockey Rob Hornby. "Andrew offered me the ride early in the week and I couldn't turn him down because Spirit Mixer is so honest. He’s such a cool horse. He’s seven years old now and a beautifully bred homebred of Mr Smith’s. He’s just thriving and really enjoying his racing at his tender age.

Rob Hornby: "He’s such a cool horse"Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“The race went pretty smooth. I thought I was jostling for the lead early enough but he got into a battle and outstayed them inside the last furlong."

Asked what victory meant to him, the jockey who won the July Cup on Smith's Alcohol Free in 2022, said: "It’s important to be riding winners on Saturdays in these big races and I’ve been fortunate enough to win a July Cup in these colours. They mean a great deal to me, as does riding winners for Kingsclere."

Spirit Mixer was never able to get into the race when given his second crack by Andrew Balding last year, finishing ninth behind Onesmoothoperator. Nor could he make much impression from off the pace in the Chester Cup this spring. But he showed he retained an awful lot of ability at the age of seven when a good second at Goodwood three weeks ago.

This time the leaders went a strong gallop, which helped set the race up for him. Spirit Mixer took full advantage and the 25-1 shot got the better of a stirring battle with Dancing In Paris in the final furlong to win by a neck.

Charging Thunder was another three lengths away in third, followed home by Tribal Star and Faylaq. The 7-2 favourite East India Dock could finish only sixth.

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