Staying with Withernsea

I do not really ‘switch over’ to the jumps until the weekend of the Paddy Power Gold Cup so this is a fairly short update.

Last week I went for Withernsea at Newmarket and felt that he was unlucky for the second time this season. At Goodwood he was caught behind a wall of horses until it was all too late and on Saturday he took a hefty bump when making his initial effort. Of course, he has had a few chances and that knock may have left its mark, so no one will be going in head down. In this instance I shall leave the place part out of it and would rather back him to win, to small stakes, with Mick Channon’s Arnold Layne covered as well. There was a pure Channon manoeuvre the other day when Arnold Layne was moved back up to seven furlongs at Catterick after finding the pace too hot over six at Goodwood. 14/1 was a handsome pay-out for those who watch Channon closely, though I admit I didn’t feel Arnold Layne had shown enough, even over an inadequate trip. He is very well at present.

Charles O’Brien sends IVEAGH GARDENS over for the Listed Wentworth Stakes and she is another who may find the trip a bit short. But she is quite lightly raced, has no Sovereign Debt to worry about this time and may just about defy top weight. It is certainly an unusual move for O’Brien to make and we should probably take the hint. Shared Equity fairly scampered away with a decent handicap last time and will not be disgraced at this level but wants good handicap company over seven, not a tricky Listed event over six.

I have not backed the winner of the November Handicap for a few years and the latest renewal looks particularly hard. I must say I didn’t expect to see Barwick in the line-up because he’s an Epsom and Brighton horse who generally reaches his peak in August and September. Ian Williams is a canny man, though, and I shall risk a few coins each-way with Tom Marquand claiming the 3lb allowance.

It is in the nature of things that another Flat turf season will finally fade away with a 33/1 winner but the two I’d look at in the closing apprentices’ handicap are Anonymous John, who looked in good heart when winning last time, and Khelman with Sammy Jo Bell on board. Richard Fahey has been winning races all season and may well win the last one, too.

Ian