George Baker is an infrequent visitor to Newcastle but the rider left Tyneside on Saturday with the two biggest races of the track’s year in the bag, including the final John Smith’s Northumberland Plate to be run on turf with Quest For More.

David Pipe can take another step towards emulating his father’s fantastic achievements by winning the John Smith’s Grand National with Comply Or Die.

Connections of Alkaadhem were today leaning towards running their progressive four-year-old in the 10-furlong Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot next Wednesday.

TRAINER David Loder and jockey Johnny Murtagh team up for the first time this season in a major handicap when Bonecrusher tackles the Coral Rosebery Stakes at Kempton Park today.