Stars perfectly aligned at Newcastle for Plate smasher

Align The Stars pounced late to land the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate for Middleham trainer Charlie Johnston.

A 10-1 chance under Daniel Muscutt, the five-year-old gelding was always up with the pace but took up the running from Kirchner inside the final furlong, staying on strongly to pull one and quarter lengths clear of the well-backed 17-2 shot.

Synergism (9-1) was a further length and three-quarters away in third, with Saint Etienne (18-1) another neck away in fourth.

Align The Stars was landing the £150,000 race some 32 years after Johnston’s father, Mark, won the race known as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby, with classy stayer Quick Ransom.