Max in Northumberland Plate mix Max Dynamite has drawn stall 15 in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday. The Willie Mullins-trained French import reverts to the Flat after a busy winter jumping, when he won a Thurles maiden, finished second in a Listed race and made the frame in the County Hurdle. Seamour will have to do it the hard way if he is to realise trainer Brian Ellison's dream of winning the Plate. Ellison was born in the city on the day of the big race 63 years ago and it has been his life-long ambition to win the event. Seamour has been ante-post favourite to lift the valuable and prestigious staying handicap since he successfully stepped up to two miles at Haydock last month. However, the lightly-raced four-year-old has been handed the widest draw of all - stall 22 in a maximum 20-runner field plus two reserves. Ellison, who trains at Malton in North Yorkshire, has three other chances with Totalize (drawn 14), Montefeltro (six) and Buthelezi (17). Angel Gabrial (11) bids to become the first horse since Tug Of War in 1977-78 to win back-to-back renewals of the race affectionately known as the Pitmen's Derby. His trainer Richard Fahey also has Gabrial's Star (13) and Gabrial's King (eight). All three are owned by Dr Marwan Koukash, who will also have his colours worn by last year's runner-up Suegioo (12) from Marco Botti's Newmarket stable. Peter Niven has declared Clever Cookie, who has been given the inside draw in stall one, but the trainer will be keeping an eye on conditions as the admirable seven-year-old does not want fast ground. Of the other leading fancies, Ed Dunlop's Oasis Fantasy has been done no favours with the draw, being installed next to Seamour in stall 21. Quest For More, trained by Roger Charlton, is much better off in stall three The two reserves are Cardinal Walter and Lucky Bridle.
