Brian Ellison hoping to go one better in Northumberland Plate with Seamour

BRIAN ELLSION is hoping it will be third-time lucky for Seamour in the Stobart Rail Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Sixth in 2015 and agonisingly beaten into second place 12 months ago, Ellison believes the six-year-old is better than ever and reports his charge in tip-top form following his seasonal return when he finished third to Dal Harraild in a Listed race at York.

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Seamour has also fared better with the draw than in the last two years and will race from stall 11 in a maximum 20-runner field.

Ellison said: "He's drawn one better than last year. I think he's better this year. He's in very good form and his home work is awesome.

"He's drawn in the middle, so it's better than being drawn wide, although the better fancied ones are inside us. We were drawn wide last year and ran wide all the way.

"He went a bit early, but the winner had a great run all the way and got a great ride.

"Everything's gone fine with his training and we had him away a couple of weeks ago. It went well and he's working well, so we're just very hopeful. It was a good run first time out and he's improved loads for it."

North-east native Ellison would dearly love to win the race, for obvious reasons.

He added: "It would be nice to have this race on the CV - this and the Melbourne Cup would be nice, but as long as he comes back OK, that's the main thing.

"We just need a good run and if he gets a good run and is second again, so be it."