Lee & O'Neill take the Northumberland Plate Tominator (8/1) won the John Smith's Northumberland Plate for a second time after swooping late under Graham Lee at Newcastle. The six-year-old won the prestigious handicap two years ago when trained by Reg Hollinshead, and, off a 10lb higher mark, he repeated the trick for Jonjo O'Neill. Oriental Fox (20/1) looked like he had timed his challenge well when he hit the front in the straight but he couldn't hold off the late thrust of Tominator, who came from way off the pace just as he did in 2011. There was a dead-heat for third as Brockwell (20/1) and Mubaraza (15/2 joint-favourite) flashed past the winning line together. Lee, completing a big-race double after his Chipchase success, said: "Happy days are here again! Massive credit to the horse and massive credit to Jonjo. He told me to be brave on him. The horse gave me a great ride." O'Neill said: "Graham is a brilliant jockey and a great tactician. He knew everything that was happening and did everything right. He's a very good rider and the horse produced on the day. "I thought he had plenty of weight, but it came right. It's brilliant." On becoming the first dual Northumberland Plate winner since Tug Of War secured back-to-back successes in 1977 and 1978, the trainer said: "It's fantastic. It's great to be part of it all. I'd love to have more Flat horses. "We'll get a few more now, hopefully." Grand National-winning jockey Lee spent many a winter riding around the Gosforth Park circuit before turning his attentions to the Flat early last year. Lee said: "When you're given instructions from a man like Jonjo, you're better off following them. "I always wanted to win an Eider Chase here and I managed that on Philson Run, and I desperately wanted to win a Fighting Fifth, but Harchibald beat me when I was on Inglis Drever. This is a very nice substitute." O'Neill is another man better known for his National Hunt exploits, but this was his second major Flat winner winner in little over a week after Well Sharp claimed the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting. The Jackdaws Castle handler was keen to pay tribute to the late Reg Hollinshead and his son, Andrew. O'Neill said: "I couldn't be happier. Patsy (Byrne) has been a very lucky owner for us. "Reg and Andrew did a great job with him. Reg left a bit in the tank for me, but Andrew deserves a lot of credit. "The horse ran a nice race at Chester (third in Chester Cup), but I was worried about the weight today. "Graham didn't panic when he was at the back and he rode him spot-on. "We'll see if he's going to go back hurdling in the winter. He'll have a few options. "This was the plan. Dubai might be quite nice. It's warm out there! "He'd run a nice race at Chester, but I was worried about the weight." Byrne said: "He's run well in every race since I've bought him. I'm absolutely delighted. Jonjo is a better Flat trainer these days!" Deirdre Johnston, wife of Oriental Fox's trainer Mark, was delighted with the effort of the runner-up. She said: "I couldn't see how long there was to go when he went clear, because there was so many people in front of me. I was thinking 'hurry up winning line'! "He's run a fantastic race, coming from last place, but I could see the grey horse catching him all the time. "He's run such a gutsy race, because he's only small against those older, big jumping types."
