Max Dynamite bids for Plate glory The sole Irish raider in today's John Smith's Northumberland Plate is the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite The five-year-old's last run on the Flat was in September 2013 when trained in France by John Van Handenhove, finishing seventh in the Prix Niel at Longchamp. He has shown good form over hurdles since joining Ireland's champion jumps trainer and was fourth behind stablemate Wicklow Brave in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. "He hasn't got the best draw in the world (15), but it's a nice prize and I think he'll stay the trip," said Mullins. "We've been lucky enough to get Martin Harley to ride, so we're very hopeful." Peter Niven will make a late check on conditions before giving Clever Cookie the thumbs up to run at Newcastle. The Malton trainer was happy to see some rain fall on the Gosforth Park course on Thursday and would love to see more arrive before what looks like being the last ever running of the Pitmen's Derby on turf before an all-weather track is installed. Niven wanted to run Clever Cookie in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last week but withdrew him as the ground was too quick. He then switched his attentions to Newcastle's biggest Flat race, although he admits it will be tough carrying 10st, having to concede between 10lb and 24lb to the opposition. "Nothing's definite. Obviously I shall walk the track, but the vibes I'm getting is the ground is pretty nice," said Niven. "They had decent showers on Thursday and had a drizzly, murky morning on Friday and there's a chance of a bit more rain maybe. "As long as it's almost good ground, we should be OK. "Certainly at home he's in marvellous form, but I don't know if he can do that weight against those horses. We'll find out. "We're drawn one. Obviously he'll come from behind, but it makes it pretty simple. We're going to be tucked in there, so he doesn't have to do anything." Brian Ellison, Newcastle born and bred, has yet to win the Pitmen's Derby, but remains upbeat about the chances of Seamour even though his big hope was handed the widest draw. "I've tried a few times and I haven't done it, but I would say this is my best chance," he said. "Seamour will still take all the beating. I'll be surprised if he isn't a Cup horse one day. "You can win from out there. It's Catch 22. You could be drawn low and miss the break and you're way behind anyway. "At least he won't have any trouble from the outside and he'll drop in. "He's only run six times and won four, been second once and the other time he ran at York and was badly drawn. "He's in great form and we go there very happy. He's fresh and well and has only had two runs this year, he's working brilliant.
