Arc triumphs in Pitmen’s Derby

9:17am Monday 30th June 2008

ARC Bleu came from the clouds to lift the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Andrian Nicholls looked set to be without a mount as his intended ride Lost Soldier Three was withdrawn from the two-mile feature on Friday.

However, the absence of that runner made room for Tony Martin's Arc Bleu and, with Nicholls aboard, the duo took full advantage to take the £200,000 prize.

Nicholls settled the 14-1 chance in the pack as Carte Diamond and Bogside Theatre fought out the early running, with the well-supported Bukit Tinggi well placed in third at the half-way stage.

Bogside Theatre maintained the pacesetting role as they turned for home, and at one stage looked like providing George Moore with his second Northumberland Plate in three years.

But Halla San (16-1) and Arc Bleu had other ideas, with the former finding a dream split on the far rail under Hanagan.

Nicholls was temporarily stopped on the dash to the line but picked up in good style on the outside of Bogside Theatre to secure another famous handicap victory for Martin by just a head.

There was to be no fairytale ending for Brian Ellison's Carte Diamond. The sevenyear- old escaped death by inches after being impaled on a railing in a freak accident on the gallops in Australia three years ago before suffering a serious tendon injury and colic during his recuperation.

Malton-based Ellison nursed him back to full health with the Plate in mind, but he could only finish 13th in a disappointing run.

Winning trainer Martin said: That was brilliant. I can't say how pleased I was when we got in as a reserve - it's a good system, just as it is over in Ireland .

We decided to have a go at this race at the beginning of the year.

"We had considered the Ascot Stakes but thought two and a half miles might be too far.

There was a bit of mess-up with the journey over from Ireland. We were due to get here at 6pm last night but didn't get here until 10pm.

Fortunately he's a horse with a very tough constitution and it didn't bother him.'' Nicholls was having his first ride for Martin and added: I was going to ride Lost Soldier Three for my dad and when he was withdrawn, my agent immediately rang Mr Martin and told him I would be available and able to do 8st 2lb - and here I am.'' Trainer Richard Fahey scored a double in two of the supporting events on the card, but was disappointed to lose out with Halla San.

■ Youmzain finally claimed the big prize his consistency deserved when coming out best in a cracking renewal of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France.

Mick Channon's charge won a Group One in Germany two years ago but had failed to get his head in front since .

He again looked unlucky when finishing fast for second behind Soldier Of Fortune in the Coronation Cup last time.

However, he gained his revenge on Aidan O'Brien's charge this time as the Galileo colt had to settle for second at Saint-Cloud.