NO TIME TO WEIGHT ABOUT

HIGHER POWER surged to Northumberland Plate glory to keep James Fanshawe and Tom Queally basking in the big-race limelight.

The five-year-old, whose trainer and jockey lifted last Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot with The Tin Man, had chased home Big Orange at Sandown Park in May.

But Fanshawe (right) opted to swerve a rematch in the Gold Cup – and the plan came off as Higher Power, carrying second top weight of 9st 9lb, landed the Stobart Rail-sponsored Pitmen’s Derby by half a length from Natural Scenery.

“When it goes like this, it’s wonderful – I just hope it keeps rolling for a while,” said Fanshawe.

“We missed Ascot because of the firm ground and came here. It’s easy to say afterwards, but they can carry the weight if they’ve got a bit of class,” added the trainer, who saddled Bold Gait to lift the race in 1995.