Max Dynamite aims to blast Newcastle rivals Max Dynamite is the only Irish contender left in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday. Willie Mullins' French recruit was highly tried during his first jumping campaign and only managed a maiden win at Thurles. He kept good company when last seen on the level, though, and finished eighth in the 2013 Prix du Jockey Club. Royal Ascot winner Oriental Fox will not be asked to turn out quickly at the weekend. Mark Johnston's classy stayer, who was sixth in the Plate last year and runner-up in 2013, made a winning seasonal reappearance in the Queen Alexandra Stakes but connections have decided not to go to the well again so soon. Heading the weights still is Peter Niven's Clever Cookie, forced to miss the Ascot Gold Cup last week due to fast ground. The first two home from last year's race, Angel Gabrial and Suegioo, both owned by Dr Marwan Koukash, are on course to clash again. Local handler Brian Ellison has a raft of horses still engaged. Totalize, Montefeltro, Buthelezi, Seamour, Top Of The Glas, Apterix, Cartharge and Full Day form a strong hand. Richard Fahey is another with multiple entries to pick from, including Angel Gabrial, with Gabrial's Star and Gabrial The Duke in the mix, and Modernism, English Summer and Gabrial The Terror down at the bottom of the weights. Roger Charlton's Quest For More, Hughie Morrison's Nearly Caught, Alan Swinbank's Aramist and Ed Dunlop's Oasis Fantasy are all likely to be among the leading fancies.
