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Marco Botti fears the handicapper may have Suegioo in his grip but last year's runner-up will return to Newcastle in good heart for Saturday's John Smith's Northumberland Plate.

The Dr Marwan Koukash-owned six-year-old enjoyed a lucrative spell last summer, winning the Chester Cup and chasing home Angel Gabrial, also owned by Koukash, in the Plate.

The same two horses had dominated at Chester, but have struggled since going up in the weights.

Suegioo was badly drawn in stall 16 when defending his Chester crown, but shaped with a deal of promise when fourth at Haydock last time out.

However, he went back up another 3lb meaning he is still 4lb higher than when second at Gosforth Park 12 months ago.

"Suegioo is in good shape. He never had a chance from a high draw in the Chester Cup and he could not get involved, but he ran well last time out at Haydock," said Botti.

"He is a few pounds higher than last year and that has affected him a little bit. If we do get the rain, he does not mind it being on the soft side.

"Ideally I wish he was going into the race a few pounds lower but he is in great order. He is fresh and should be competitive. Whether or not that is good enough to win is a different question."

Botti could also run Min Alemarat.

Royal Ascot winner Oriental Fox will not be asked to turn out quickly.

Mark Johnston's classy stayer, who was sixth in the race last year and runner-up in 2013, made a winning seasonal reappearance in the Queen Alexandra Stakes on Saturday but connections have decided not to go to the well twice in a week.

Heading the weights still is Peter Niven's Clever Cookie, forced to miss the Ascot Gold Cup last week due to fast ground.

Willie Mullins, becoming a regular visitor in the staying handicaps, may run Max Dynamite, but he is the only Irish contender.

Local handler Brian Ellison has a raft of horses still engaged. T otalize, Montefeltro, Buthelezi, Seamour, Top Of The Glas, Apterix, Cartharge and Full Day form a strong hand.

Richard Fahey is another with multiple entries to pick from, including Angel Gabrial, as well as Gabrial's Star and Gabrial The Duke, with Modernism, English Summer and Gabrial The Terror down at the bottom of the weights.

Roger Charlton's Quest For More, Hughie Morrison's Nearly Caught, Alan Swinbank's Aramist and Ed Dunlop's Oasis Fantasy are all likely to be among the leading fancies.