HARRY’S RIDE IS VAN-TASTIC

Bentley steers Hugo’s ace to Plate prize

DRIVERS will have cursed but punters were delighted nobody could pass the Caravan Of Hope after the gamble was landed in the Betfair Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Backed from 8-1 down to 9-2 favourite, Caravan Of Hope was driven home by Harry Bentley with the second favourite Australis finishing runner-up.

Winning trainer Hugo Palmer was also responsible for the third Collide.

Palmer will now be hoping his run of success continues next week as Emissary will be the Newmarket trainer’s first runner in Saturday’s Investec Derby.

“I didn’t know which one to cheer – I was just shouting, ‘Go on boys,’” said Palmer.

“Collide ran a wonderful race as he was drawn wider, had to settle further back and carry an awful lot of weight.

“I’m a Newcastle United fan, I grew up just north of here, I went to university here – 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.”

Bentley was breathing a sigh of relief as he had missed a winning ride on Limato who had won 30 minutes earlier at Newmarket.

Earlier on the Newcastle card, partners Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand showed that anything you can do, I can do too.

Doyle was first on the score sheet with Glen Shiel and Marquand followed with Caspian Prince.

But Marquand finished the day with the bragging rights as he was also on the mark with Nkosikazi.

Clearly Marquand, 22, has not had his confidence dented after losing the ride on Derby favourite English King to Frankie Dettori.

And he is far from complaining as Andrew Balding has now snapped him up for Khalif Sat in the Derby instead.

Marquand said: “I rode him to win the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood. He showed a great attitude and handles an awkward track.” WILLIAM BUICK rode a 155-1 four-timer at Newmarket yesterday with successes with Boccaccio, Volkan Star, Al Maysan and Sakura Petal.