Ellison hopeful of bold Plate defence from Onesmoothoperator, despite weighty burden

will have to defy a welter burden if he is to repeat his victory of last year in the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate at .

However, his trainer Brian Ellison believes he has shown improved form in the intervening 12 months that proves he is now a better horse, despite being seven.

Since fulfilling Ellison’s childhood dream in winning the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’, the north-east native has seen his stable star win the Geelong Cup and be beaten just over five lengths in the Melbourne Cup, as well as run with credit in Dubai.

“He’s in good form and he’s obviously been trained for the race again,” said Ellison.

“He’s got more weight this year (12lb), but we’re very happy with him.

“The races in Dubai didn’t suit him as there’s no pace, but he ran great in Australia and I think he’s a better horse now.

“He wasn’t beaten too far by Kalpana at Kempton before Australia and he was close enough to Dubai Future in Dubai, who was third in the Gold Cup last week.

“He’s been away to Southwell a couple of weeks ago after we’d freshened him up and Connor Beasley will ride him again.”

Only George Scott’s Prydwen (9st 12lb) is above Onesmoothoperator (9st 10lb) in the weights after the confirmation stage, for which a record 62 were left in with a maximum field of 20 allowed.

Chester Cup winner East India Dock could turn out quickly having finished sixth in the Ascot Stakes last week, while Willie Mullins has left in both Pappano and Too Bossy For Us.

Andrew Balding’s Who’s Glen, the lightly-raced Golden Rules (Tom Faulkner) – who was second two years ago for Faulkner’s mother, Deborah, but had been off since then until running at Kempton in March – and Sir Mark Prescott’s progressive Godsend are others still in contention.