The 35-year-old, from Woodhall Spa, demonstrated his excellent fitness and stamina as he came through to claim his third triumph of the day in the final race, which had to be re-started after Guy Martin crashed without injury at Black Hill.

Plater crossed the line in pole position to cap an excellent North West 200 display, with Alastair Seeley second and Ian Lougher third.

"That was pretty good and I'm quite happy with the day's racing," Plater said. "I was confident with the Supersport bike but no so with my Superbike, but now I'm looking forward to the event next year."

His team-mate and British Supersport rider, Ian Hutchinson, led on the opening lap with Seeley third, Keith Amor fourth and Lougher next.

At Ballysally on the second lap Lougher had moved into third place on his Black Horse Yamaha as the two AIM Yamaha riders put on an exhibition of high-speed riding at the front.

Steve Brogan continued to make progress throughout the day and his performance in the second Supersport race on Saturday suggests that he could seal a podium finish next year.

The HM Plant Honda rider, from Merseyside, moved into fifth place on the second lap ahead of Keith Amor.

Plater took over from 'Hutchy' on lap three, with Seeley now into third ahead of Lougher and Brogan.

As the riders approached Portrush, Seeley went into the lead, raising hopes among the Northern Ireland fans that he could claim his second win of the day.

He still made the running on the penultimate lap with Hutchinson now second and Plater third, while Brogan passed Lougher for fourth.

However, it was all change again at the Metropole as Plater led from his team-mate, with Seeley now third.

On the last lap, the riders were three-abreast at the 'Magic' roundabout in Coleraine, with Plater, Seeley, Hutchinson and Lougher the order as they set off for Mather's Cross.

Plater and Seeley were side by side along the Coast Road as they approached Juniper Hill Chicane but it was the English rider who held out on the brakes as he sped to a magnificent third victory from Seeley and Lougher, with Brogan taking a fantastic fourth place.

RESULT: 1 S Plater; 2 A Seeley; 3 I Lougher; 4 S Brogan; 5 K Amor.