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.

Marco Botti admits Ryan Moore is going to have to weave his magic from stall 16 if Suegioo is to repeat his victory of 12 months ago in the Betway Chester Cup today.

Trainer Gordon Elliott, successful with Don Cossack in last week’s Punchestown Gold Cup, started the new jumps season in style when sharing a double with amateur rider Barry O’Neill in Down Royal yesterday.

Charismatic owner Dr Marwan Koukash states every year that the StanJames.com Chester Cup is his ‘Derby’ and he knew from some way out he would be adding to his collection as Suegioo swooped late to deny Angel Gabrial on the Roodee.