Never in doubt: Withhold hacks up from the front to land ante-post gamble

Talk about easy money. Big-field handicaps with huge prizes are supposed to be the toughest races to win. But nobody told Withhold.

Last October he turned the Cesarewitch into a procession, laughing at his 33 rivals and landing a massive gamble in style.

Things would surely be tougher off a mark 12lb higher in an ultra-competitive field for the Stobart Rail & Civils Northumberland Plate, particularly as he had not had another race in the eight months since and was dropping back in trip to 2m.

Yet those who kept faith in the fast-improving five-year-old, who had been favourite ever since ante-post betting started, never had an anxious moment and nor did Robert Winston.

The Northumberland Plate field pass the stands for the first time with Withhold in frontCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

On a day when track conditions meant it was an advantage to be up with the pace, Winston soon had the market leader in front and could not believe how little he needed to do to maintain his position.

He kicked clear over two furlongs out and was always in command, crossing the line two and three-quarter lengths clear of Prince Of Arran, who had to come from behind.

"They handed it to me, they absolutely handed it to me," Winston said. "I just had to squeeze to get to the rail. I thought 'one or two are going to come to me' but they never did. He was in second gear and he reserved so much energy round there.

"When I asked him off the home turn he didn't do things instantly, he just galloped at one pace, but you'd expect him to get all the way to the line from there given the pace we went. I gave him a little flick but I realised I was three in front and I put the stick down because there was no need, he was doing everything for me."

Winston's first victory in this age-old handicap brought back memories of the late Alan Swinbank, who did much to put him on the map in his younger days.

"I finished third on Virgin Soldier for Alan Swinbank," he recalled. "I'd like to dedicate this race to Alan because I know he always wanted to win it."

Lack of a run was not a huge concern for trainer Roger Charlton, with the vibes at Beckhampton suggesting Withhold was better than ever.

"We came here pretty confident he was fit, on the scales he was fit and the guys who ride him at home said he was ready," his son Harry said.

"This year he travels a lot sweeter at home – he would lay up with Group horses with speed."

The Melbourne Cup could be the ultimate target for the Tony Bloom-owned Goodwood Cup entry but Charlton said: "We've got to map out where we go.

"If the year ends in Australia, it helps to have won Cesarewitches, Northumberland Plates and Ebors and be placed in stakes races – we've got two of those in the bag already and you wouldn't rule him out of being placed in a stakes race quite soon."

Prince Of Arran finished best of the rest, having started from stall 17, and owner Saeed Bel Obaida's representative Philip Robinson said: "He ran a cracker. In another half-furlong he might have got there.

"It may have been a bit unfortunate he was drawn so far out. Instead of being able to go and sit third or fourth he was a bit far back, but he ran a great race and he'll get a big one somewhere."

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