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Nicholas T wins the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Ben Robinson gestures after winning the William Hill Northumberland Plate Handicap (Heritage Handicap) race on Nicholas T, during the William Hill Northumberland Plate Day at Newcastle Racecourse on June 26, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Tim Goode - Pool/Getty Images)
Image: Ben Robinson after winning the William Hill Northumberland Plate Handicap (Heritage Handicap) race on Nicholas T,

Nicholas T sprang a 33-1 surprise when getting up close home to land the William Hill Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Jim Goldie's nine-year-old, wearing a hood for the first time, was produced on the far side of the all-weather course to lead inside the final furlong and deny long-time leader Hochfeld, giving jockey Ben Robinson his biggest success in the saddle in the process.

Hochfeld had been prominent throughout the extended two-mile test with Australis, Rajinsky, Reshoun and the 5-2 favourite Trueshan among those up with the pace.

There was all to play for when the 20 runners turned for home in the prestigious staying handicap.

Hochfeld (28-1) was proving hard to pass but Nicholas T, carrying a 5lb penalty for a victory at York two weeks ago, wore down Mark Johnston's charge to take the £81,000 first prize by half a length.

Rajinsky (16-1), who crossed the line in fourth place, was promoted to third following a stewards' inquiry with Island Brave (16-1) demoted to fourth.

Robinson said: "I'm lost for words. My only doubt was staying the two miles as he can be a keen-travelling horse. I switched him off out the back and he got a lovely run up. He put it to bed really well.

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"It's unbeatable. It's a race that Brian Ellison, my boss, has wanted to win all his career and for me to win it, for someone else, is really good.

"Jim is a very, very good trainer and he always manages to get one or two decent animals. This horse has never put a foot wrong."

Goldie admitted victory in the historic contest had long been an ambition of his.

He said: "It's one of those races that was kind of on my bucket list.

"It's a great race and a traditional race. Sir Chauvelin has been placed in the race before, but it's a hard race to win.

"Nicholas T won over a mile and a half here (in November) by almost five lengths. Phil Dennis (jockey) said he couldn't believe he picked up like that as stayers don't. You saw that again today - from last to first.

"He had to go to York for a ladies race, which got him the penalty to get into this."

Asked where the victory ranked in his career highlights, he said: "On the day it's always very good.

"To be honest, when I won the Grand Sefton over the Grand National fences (with Lampion Du Bost in 2007), that was huge, and then I went and did it the next year with Endless Power.

"To win this race is great."