Give Notice, still seeking his first win of the campaign, can hit the jackpot at Newcastle tomorrow.

The John Dunlop-trained four-year-old goes for the £120,000 Foster's Lager Northumberland Plate - better known as the Pitmen's Derby - and is napped to come out on top in one of the richest staying handicaps of the season.

Give Notice, narrowly beaten by the Mick Easterby-trained Nowell House at Newmarket on his seasonal debut in April, subsequently finished a good fourth to Akbar in a competitive handicap at Goodwood.

On his latest start, at York earlier this month, the Sussex gelding was beaten only three lengths into fifth place by Prairie Falcon in a slightly messy race, which resulted in a blanket finish.

Give Notice has raced at only up to one mile and three-quarters so far, but stamina looks to be his strong suit, and the step up to two miles tomorrow is expected to bring out the best in him. With Seb Sanders on board, he makes plenty of appeal at around 12-1.

Cover Up, winner of the Ascot Handicap last week, looks sure to thereabouts again, while Bay Of Islands, winner of this race last year, and Distant View are two others likely to be concerned in the finish.

But Give Notice has the right sort of credentials to prevail, and I fancy him to with this valuable prize.

The bumper eight-race card, the biggest and best of Newcastle's summer season, also includes the Group 3 John Smooth's Extra Smooth Chipchase Stakes, which promises to offer Ellens Academy a useful consolation prize.

Eric Alston's sprinter just failed to beat Nice One Clare in last week's Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot. He can go one better tomorrow.

Up Tempo, who finished an excellent fourth to Orientor in the William Hill Trophy at York two weeks ago, should not be overlooked in the Tote Exacta Northern Sprint Handicap. Kevin Darley, who has ridden six winners in the last two days, has the mount on Tim Easterby's sprinter.

At Newmarket, Nice One Clare, fresh from her Royal Ascot success over Ellens Academy, can oblige again over an extra furlong.

Pip Payne's smart mare can cope with the step up to Group 3 company in the Hitchins Criterion Stakes. Frankie Dettori has the mount.

Massara, held in high regard in the John Dunlop camp, is strongly fancied to land the Taylor Woodrow Empress Stakes, while the in-form Entail will be hard to beat in the European Breeders' Fund Fillies' Handicap.

Tomorrow's tips:

Newcastle

2.10 Toffee Nosed,

2.45 Ellens Academy,

3.15 Up Tempo,

3.50 Give Notice (Nap),

4.20 Valentine Band,

4.50 Sophorific,

5.20 Cantina,

5.50 Able Ayr.

Newmarket

(televised races)

2.25 Dubai Status,

3.00 Mubtaker,

3.30 Nice One Clare,

4.05 Massara.

Updated: 12:43 Friday, June 29, 2001