SOM TALA STORMS TO PLATE GLORY

Tony Culhane had not found Newcastle's John Smith's

Northumberland Plate his luckiest race in the past - but

everything fell into place for him this time thanks to Som

Tala's gutsy display.

The hardy nine-year-old made all the running in the

£180,000 contest to provide the jockey with his biggest

success in Europe's richest stayers' handicap.

Culhane took the initiative from the outset in the

two-mile test and judged things to a nicety as he kept the

Mick Channon-trained 16-1 shot going strongly in the

closing stages to score by three-quarters of a length

from Wells Lyrical.

Culhane, 40, said: "I have had a few rides going into the race with half-chances, but all have bombed out so it is great to have won it at last.

"This is the first time I have ridden Som Tala, but Mick is a great man to ride for - he gives you a free rein to ride your race and whatever decision you make, he stands by you.

"I did not want to make sure I gave the advantage of a good draw away so we went on and I knew nothing would get past him in the closing stages.

"I have been riding for 24 years and you need to be riding in these good races on horses with a good chance."

Culhane and Channon celebrated their success in the feature by landing the EBF/Tarmac Maiden Stakes with The Human League, who started 9-4 favourite on the strength of his debut run when third at Newmarket.