STEVE ROGERS can prove the punters' hero by landing the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Roger Varian's charge has plenty of amends to make to his supporters after letting them down badly in the Chester Cup back in May – but he can put that disappointing effort well behind by landing the first all-weather renewal of the Pitmen's Derby.

The five-year-old was sent off favourite on the Roodee after winning at Chester last September and warming up for the main event with a victory at Kempton in April.

However, despite having a favourable low draw and seemingly being perfectly-placed to challenge with a couple of furlongs to run, Steve Rogers folded tamely and was eventually beaten 11 lengths by the reopposing No Heretic.

Clearly the Montjeu gelding did not fire on the day at all – but he still has some factors in his favour, not least his Kempton win on an all-weather surface.

He thoroughly impressed over two miles that day and it may well be the longer trip of the Chester Cup was just not for him, so dropping back in trip here is another plus.

Steve Rogers again has a decent draw and, fresh from a break and with Andrea Atzeni on board, he could just be ready to set the record straight as today's nap selection.

DANNYDAY was among the favourites for the Plate and, having missed the cut for the main event, he should probably be backed in the consolation Betfred Northumberland Vase Handicap.

The four-year-old appears to have improved a bit over the winter, putting a disappointing effort on his final run of 2015 well behind when winning at Chelmsford in April.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute looks to have waited for this opportunity, protecting Dannyday's mark of 91 in the process, so it is a shame he did not make it into the final Plate field.

Yet this £75,000 contest is not to be sneezed at and Stoute's patience can pay dividends of sorts. Ted Durcan has the ride.

BURATINO can get his season back on track with victory in the Betfred Chipchase Stakes.

He looked a top-class colt when beating Air Force Blue at Royal Ascot last year before going on to place twice in Group One company as a juvenile.

That form has perhaps not worked out quite as well as expected, while Buratino himself has been beaten on two occasions already this term.

A mile was patently not for him in the 2000 Guineas and subsequent Royal Ascot victor Quiet Reflection was just too good at Haydock last time out.

This Group Three affair looks more suitable and can get him back on the right road. James Doyle takes the reins.

Group Three action is also on offer at Newmarket, with MUWAARY the choice in the John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes.

John Gosden's inmate was a super smart three-year-old, finishing fourth in the French Guineas, second in the 2014 Jersey Stakes and fifth in the Prix Jean Prat.

He was then off the track from July 2014 until earlier this month, when he shaped with plenty of promise in finishing third in a Listed heat at York.

Muwaary was understandably ring-rusty, and had plenty of ground to make up in the finish, but he ran on with real purpose and can progress to better things as the year goes on. Paul Hanagan is up top today.

BAADI can make it three from three this season in the Sky Bet Handicap at Windsor.

Formerly trained by Varian, Baadi seems to have come of age since switching to the care of Charlie Fellowes and undergoing a gelding operation during the winter.

His five-length maiden win was supplemented by a cosy victory when last seen and he looks one on the up.

PENWORTHAM can strike in the Coca Cola Zero Sugar Handicap at Chester, while LAUGHTON is the pick in Doncaster's Beaver 84 Handicap.

Backers of GIMLET should be able to treat themselves to a drink or two after the 188BET Handicap at Lingfield as he looks a likely winner for Hugo Palmer.