Smooth sailing ahead

ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (3.15) lived up to his name a year ago - and can repeat the feat today at Newcastle.

- JASON HEAVEY

Brian Ellison's beast turned the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate into a one-horse race in 2024 and he has 12lb more to acrry this time.

But he loves Gosforth Park and should be a tough nut to crack despite his welter burden.

Onesmoothoperator was not disgraced in the Melbourne Cup or at Meydan in the spring and he has been trained for this famous old handicap.

Golden Rules was second in 2023 and is 4lb lower while other contenders are Duke of Oxford, who was third last year.

Willie Mullins' Pappano - last seen in the Triumph Hurdle - cannot be discounted and although Alrazeen is 50-1 he appeals as having an each-way squeak under Warren Fentiman.

SQUEALER (3.00) can have punters screaming with delight at York today.