Withernsea capable of a repeat
November 4th, 2016 | Ian Carnaby's Racing News
I have never been particularly enthusiastic about the Breeders’ Cup, partly because of the drugs employed across the water but also because I think it’s virtually impossible to predict which horses trained in Europe will still be capable of producing their best in November.
Therefore, it’s familiar ground again this weekend and I’m hoping that Richard Fahey can see the campaign out in style at Doncaster. In particular, I hope to see his WITHERNSEA repeat last year’s victory in the intricate seven-furlong handicap at 1.50, though it will not be easy and his two stable-companions may also be right there at the death.
Right Touch disappointed me last time and I may have read too much into his troubled passage at Goodwood back in the spring. Having said that, he will be happier back in handicap company after taking on Sovereign Debt in a conditions race over course and distance. But I prefer GEORGE BOWEN, who won the race for grey horses at Newmarket last year and went on to run well in better company. Although his form figures are uninspiring, George Bowen has finished on the heels of the placed horses more than once recently and he will be a decent price here.
The problem is that his wins are over six furlongs and keeping on well at sprint distances does not necessarily mean you will come good over further. I shall back Withernsea – a net 5lb higher than last year but capable of coping with it – save on George Bowen and try to trap the forecast or Exacta by adding Henry Candy’s Dinkum Diamond, who definitely stays beyond sprint distances these days.
If I go on about Fahey it’s only because I think there is sometimes very good money to be made on Saturdays by perming his horses. So, although I think nurseries are the hardest races (apart from claimers), I shall cover Party Tiger in the 1.15 while GROWL has a clear chance in the Wentworth following his second to The Tin Man in the Champions Sprint. Still, Andrew Balding’s ABSOLUTELY SO has a handy pull on Ayr Gold Cup placings and I shall save on him.
