NEWCASTLE

PUNTERS were pretty much on the mark in the Northumberland Plate and there was little joy for bookmakers earlier when Ian Williams’ London Prize kept on very gamely to claim the ‘consolation’ race, the Betfred Northumberland Vase.

A very talented horse under both codes, London Prize has come into his own these past few months and was supported down to 7/4 favourite. Racing in third or fourth for most of the way, he took over two furlongs from home but had to be driven right out by Fran Berry to hold Graceland by a neck with High Command third.

It was a splendid result for the jockey, who has lost his job with Ralph Beckett but continues to pick up rides for powerful stables. The race was run some six seconds slower than the main event and Berry kicked on at exactly the right moment, sensing that it would develop into a sprint. Nearly £47,000 is a very good consolation prize and the chances are that London Prize, for all his improvement this year, probably did well to miss the cut.