A gutsy display under Tony Culhane saw Som Tala take the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday. The tough nine-year-old made the running in the two mile £180,000 contest to give trainer Mick Channon his first win in Europe's richest stayers' handicap.
Culhane took the initiative from the outset after overnight rain had changed the going from good to firm to soft.
The 40-year-old veteran used his considerable experience to push his mount clear in the home turn and stay on strongly to score by three-quarters of a length from Wells Lyrical.
The result marked the biggest success in the race to date for the jockey
"I have had a few rides going into the race with half-chances, but all have bombed out so it is great to have won it at last," he said.
"This is the first time I have ridden Som Tala, but Mick is a great man to ride for - he gives you a free rein to ride your race and whatever decision you make, he stands by you.
"This is the first time I have ridden Som Tala, but Mick is a great man to ride for - he gives you a free rein to ride your race and whatever decision you make, he stands by you.
"I did not want to make sure I gave the advantage of a good draw away so we went on and I knew nothing would get past him in the closing stages.
"I have been riding for 24 years and you need to be riding in these good races on horses with a good chance."
Culhane and Channon celebrated their success in the feature by landing the EBF/Tarmac Maiden Stakes with The Human League - who started 9-4 favourite on the strength of his debut run when third at Newmarket.
Our selection Hendersyde finished fourth at 10/1...still a nice little earner backed each way!
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