Withhold denied Northumberland Plate defence due to bad scope

Last year’s Northumberland Plate winner Withhold has been ruled out of a repeat bid on Saturday after a scope revealed a low grade infection in his lungs.

The six-year-old was the 7-1 second favourite for the £150,000 Betfair-sponsored handicap at Newcastle but on Friday morning was scratched from the race.

Withhold made all in the 2m contest under Robert Winston last year, readily justifying favouritism in defeating Prince Of Arran by two and three-quarter lengths.

The 2017 Cesarewitch winner is entered in the bet365 Trophy at Newmarket on July 12 and Qatar Goodwood Cup at Goodwood on July 30.

Trainer Roger Charlton said: "It's a shame but just one of those things that happens in racing.

"We're hoping he won't be out of action for too long but it's too early to say whether Newmarket will be an option for him next month."

The Tony Bloom-owned Withhold burst a blood vessel when last in action in the Geelong Cup in October, which ruled him out of a tilt at the Melbourne Cup the following month.

Bloom, chairman of Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion, will be represented in the race by the Willie Mullins-trained Stratum, who has been cut to 8-1 second favourite.

The Roger Varian-trained Gibbs Hill remains favourite at 10-3 with the sponsor.

Jason Watson, who was due to partner Withhold, has picked up a spare ride in the race, with Ian Williams moving to secure him for Speedo Boy. Watson finished second aboard the five-year-old at Newmarket earlier in the month.

Fille De Reve, trained by Ed Walker, has been ruled out of the Chipchase Stakes on the same card due to a bruised foot.

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