Pique Sous Plate bid a possibility

Royal Ascot hero Pique Sous is "very likely" to turn out quickly for the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday.

The seven-year-old came close to losing his life last autumn after suffering a severe bout of colic, but showed he is better than ever with a brilliant display in the Queen Alexandra Stakes in the hands of Ryan Moore.

The grey is now safely back at champion trainer Willie Mullins’ County Carlow base, but is likely to be heading back across the Irish Sea later this week. Steve Massey, racing manager for the owners Supreme Horse Racing, said: “The horse caught the ferry back to Ireland last night and is grand and fine back at Willie’s this morning.