Plate glory for Quest For More

Quest For More was an impressive winner of the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle to provide George Baker with a big-race double.

Baker had earlier won the Chipchase Stakes on Aeolus and he enjoyed a smooth passage aboard Quest For More to run out a length-and-a-quarter winner from Max Dynamite in the last Plate to be run on turf at the course.

The top weight, and well supported, Clever Cookie was a late withdrawal on account of the fast ground and it was the two horses left at the top of the handicap who filled the first two places.

Mark Johnston’s Notarised, with Clever Cookie’s intended jockey Graham Lee now on board, led the field until the two-furlong marker when Seamour, who had tacked across early from a wide draw to race prominently, hit the front.

But Quest For More, trained by Roger Charlton, was always travelling sweetly in behind for Baker and he struck the front inside the final furlong before possibly idling a little in front.

Max Dynamite, sent over from Ireland by leading jumps trainer Willie Mullins, stayed on well for second, with Nearly Caught in third and last year’s winner Angel Gabrial fourth.

Ed Walker also enjoyed a Saturday double as Aeolus got up late to win the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes and Bushcraft continued his excellent form.

Danzeno was sent off favourite to win the Chipchase Stakes for the second year in a row and, despite a slow start, appeared to have come there to win the race.

But Danzeno could not shake off his rivals as Baker brought Aeolus with a powerful run on the stands’ side to get up by half a length as Mattmu rallied to claim second from the favourite.

Graham Lee took over in the saddle for Walker’s other runner as Bushcraft stayed on well to win the six-furlong Betfred ‘Six Best Odds Races Daily’ Handicap from See The Sun.

Bushcraft missed last season due to injury, but returned this year to win a pair of handicaps at Windsor before maintaining his progression with this promising success.

Paul Hanagan delivered a perfect ride aboard Zarwaan to bring the favourite from last to first to take the Betfred Membership ‘Play Your Way’ Handicap over seven furlongs.