3 minute read

Six-year-old had tough time on Australian trip

Roger Charlton brought off one of the training feats of the year when successfully returning Withhold  from a nine-month absence in the £100,000 Marsh Cup at Newbury.

The former Cesarewitch and Northumberland Plate winner missed the Melbourne Cup due to a blood vessel problem and following that abortive trip to Australia had undergone wind surgery.

Jason Watson set out to dominate in the extended two-mile handicap and, after giving his mount a breather rounding the home bend, set sail for home with most of his rivals firmly under the cosh.

Billy Ray emerged as the only threat and looked a real danger approaching the distance, but Withhold (17-2) showed his class to pull a length and three-quarters clear.

Coeur De Lion was three lengths away in third and his Alan King-trained stablemate Who Dares Wins fourth.

Charlton will discuss future plan with owner Tony Bloom, but the Sky Bet Ebor and the Goodwood Cup will come under consideration.

The Beckhampton trainer said: "That was amazing. You need to be fit to run two miles on tacky ground with a strong headwind, and it's nine months since he ran followed by a bleeding problem.

"I am delighted for Jason, who had him lobbing along beautifully. He's a magnificent horse."

Eyeing future targets, he added: "He's in the Ebor which would mean seeing if he's as capable over a mile and three-quarters, and there's also the Goodwood Cup.

"If you cut out Australia he's got a very good profile. When he ran there (Australia) there was blood halfway through the race. It's a big decision to go there again, but you'd think he's the perfect type for it."

Fox Chairman justified his short price as he got back to winning ways in the bet365 Stakes.

The Kingman colt looked a shade unlucky run at Royal Ascot, where he was second to Sangaruius in the Hampton Court Stakes on only his third run, and made amends by taking the Listed race registered as the Steventon Stakes.

Andrew Balding's three-year-old, owned by King Power Racing, made smooth progress in the centre of the course to cruise into the lead a furlong and a half out in the hands of Silvestre de Sousa.

Though Fox Chairman drifted over to the far rail, the 8-13 favourite was always in command and had a length to spare over the staying-on Pondus at the line.

De Sousa said: "He's still green and he was going so good I pulled him out to let him stretch and he put the race to bed.

"With the headwind and his greenness, he just didn't know what to do.

"It's tacky, hold-up ground. That would not have been in his favour."

Chelsea Thoroughbreds look to have a nice prospect on their hands in Owney Madden, the gamest of winners when short-heading Written Broadcast in the bet365 Novice Stakes.

Watson excelled on the Martyn Meade-trained colt, who tracked a course left as he picked off one rival after another in the final furlong and a half.

And after hitting the front, the son of Oasis Dream resisted his rival without being given a hard time.

Meads's son and assistant, Freddie, said: "Obviously he's still learning, but he showed a good attitude and put his head down."

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