Roker shines at Newcastle

Roker Park (9-1) came with a strong run to win the totescoop6 Handicap at Newcastle in good style.Van Bossed, Thebes and Tajneed made it a strong gallop as they took the field along to a quarter of a mile from home, where the race changed complexion.Bursting into the lead over a furlong out, the Kevin Ryan-trained Roker Park, ridden by Neil Callan, bounded clear to score by a length and a half from Barney McGrew. Sunrise Safari stayed on stoutly to take third.Joe O'Gorman, assistant to Ryan, added: "The horse is in very good form. He won at Doncaster last time but, before that, he either did not face the blinkers or the five furlongs at Musselburgh was too sharp for him."It was great for the owner, Trevor Alderson, who has always wanted a winner here."Alderson, who hails from Seaham in Durham and is a die-hard Sunderland supporter, added: "I'd had a winner at every course in the north of England apart from here so it's great to have done it. I think the plan now will be to go to the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood."He'll probably go up 5lb in the ratings to that will help him get in the race."