Fahey Could Get Off To A Flier At Doncaster

The Flat is back this weekend, with the English and Irish Lincolns the feature races. Richard Fahey will likely be represented in both heats and I think he has a right chance in the English version with Withernsea. Tony Hamilton rides and he will be trying to win it for the third time for his trainer. They combined for success with Brae Hill in 2012 at 25/1 and again with 12/1 shot Gabrial in 2015.

Withernsea endured a troubled passage in 2017.

In fact, between 2012 to 2015 (no ride in 2016) Hamilton was on the Fahey horse that finished highest in the field. His form figures in that period read 1361 so he is clearly Fahey's go to jockey for the Lincoln. Last year Withernsea was a very unlucky 9th from stall 7 off a mark of 97 on good to soft ground and he returns for a repeat bid off the same rating. Held up in rear of mid division he was still travelling sweetly enough as they hit the three pole, but from then on in it all went Pete Tong.



Just as Hamilton was starting to push Withernsea along at the 2f pole a retreating Top Notch Tonto drifted into his path and checked Withernsea. Hamilton had to momentarily stop riding at an absolutely pivotal point in the race and when you lose momentum at such a late stage it is hard to regain it.

However, after he switched Withernsea he started to stay on, but just inside the furlong marker he had to be switched again and as a result any chance he had of sneaking a place disappeared. I think it was a cracking run if you consider the all the action unfolded on the opposite side at the business end and though he finished 9th he was just over 3L behind the winner and around a length behind Dolphin Vista in 5th.

With a bit more luck in running I believe he could have gone very close and off the same mark from a better draw on his ideal ground I think he could outrun his current odds of 40/1. Donncha looks a big danger off a 3lb lower mark than when a fast finishing 3rd in last term’s renewal and a big run from him looks on the cards with top jockey Andrea Atzeni booked. He is only 20/1 though, and at twice the price I think Withernsea has an equally good chance of hitting the frame. He is the each way selection.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: DONCASTER 3.35-WITHERNSEA E/W 40/1