IS IT raining in Newcastle? Or is the sun shining? The North East weather matters most of all to North Yorkshire trainer Peter Niven, whose CLEVER COOKIE has an outstanding chance of winning today's £140,000 John Smith's Northumberland Plate – provided the ground is not too firm.

Niven, who pulled his stable star out of last week's Ascot Gold Cup because of unsuitably fast going, is keen to saddle him in this afternoon's popularly-known 'Pitmens' Derby', and is bullish about the gelding's current well-being.

But if he deems the underfoot conditions pose a risk to his easy-ground stayer, he will have no hesitation in drawing stumps and waiting for another day.

Fingers are crossed that Niven is able to grant the green light to Clever Cookie, who is napped to lift this coveted prize – despite inevitably having to carry top weight after his wins in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester and the Stowe Grand Cup, a Listed race, at York.

He is the class horse in the line-up and, as a fully mature and strapping individual, has what it takes to concede weight all round.

Dangers to Clever Cookie include three from the Richard Fahey yard and four from Brian Ellison's Norton stables.

Niven's neighbours are strongly represented. Fahey saddles last year's winner Angel Gabrial, as well as Gabrial's Star and Gabrial's King – likewise owned by Dr Marwan Koukash – while Ellison's quartet includes Seamour and Totalize, first and second at Haydock last month.

Ellison has always longed to win this race – he was born at Newcastle on Northumberland Plate day in the 1950s – and, after plenty of fruitless attempts to date, believes this is the best squad he's ever had for this notable prize.

But Niven could well have an even better chance with his sole raider. Clever Cookie is napped to win – provided he makes the line-up!

Any ease in the ground would also bring a smile to the face of Tim Easterby on behalf of MATTMU in the Betfred Chipchase Stakes, which carries Group 1 status.

A Group 2 winner in France last autumn, Mattmu was narrowly beaten in the Duke of York Stakes on Knavesmire on his reappearance before finishing fifth in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.

He has a solid chance, provided he can master last year's winner Danzeno, Watchable and Eastern Impact.

Also worth noting at Newcastle are the hat-trick seeking BUSHCRAFT (2.35) and the Richard Fahey-trained pair MEHDI (3.45) and WOOFIE (4.55).

At Doncaster's evening meeting, BAHAMIAN SUNRISE can supplement his decisive win at Redcar last weekend in the Clair Welch Handicap.

Jack Garritty again takes the mount on the three-year-old, who has been lightly-raced and is open to further improvement over sprint distances.

ADAM'S ALE will be seeking compensation for trainer Mark Walford and owner Muriel Hills in the Altrad Beaver 84 Hire & Sales Handicap over six furlongs. The six-year-old failed by a whisker to beat Canyari over this course and distance a couple of weeks ago.

He has top weight to carry here under Jason Hart in a tight race which includes Pea Shooter from the Stillington yard of Marjorie Fife. A recent winner at Ripon, it was revealed that the six-year-old has rediscovered his form thanks to a little pony-friend called Brian!

Middleham trainer Micky Hammond has his horses in superb form and CADMIUM could be another winner for the stable in the Panelcraft Access Panels Fillies' Handicap.

The four-year-old has won two of her last three starts and is paired-up with apprentice Rob Fitzpatrick, who knows her well.