Fine weather shines on North East

Jun 25 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal

FINE weather has tempted hundreds of North East people into the great outdoors.

The region has enjoyed a week in the sunshine, a far cry from last week’s downpours which caused some floods.

And the bright weather is just in time for the Northumberland Plate Festival, which begins today with the Seaton Delaval Trophy.

Up to 50,000 people are expected at one of the eagerly-anticipated events at Gosforth Park racecourse this week, with organisers predicting a sell-out on Plate Day. Tickets for the premier enclosure have already all been snapped up.

At £180,000, the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate is the richest handicap race in Europe and tops off three days of racing.

Likely contenders among the 20 runners in the Plate include recent Royal Ascot winner Judgethemoment, trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam.

David Pipe’s Royal Rationale could also feature, and there is a rumour that the 2008 winner Arc Bleu is on course to emulate Tug of War, the last horse to win two consecutive runnings (1977 and 78) of the big race.

Mark Spincer, executive director at Newcastle Racecourse, said: “The team at Newcastle Racecourse has done a fantastic job in getting everything set for a wonderful sporting and social occasion for the North East. Those attending should try to arrive early to sample the atmosphere of this great occasion and take the opportunity to look around the bars, champagne marquee and food and trade stands, many of which are inside the grandstand and paddock enclosure.”