Charlie Fellowes’ stable star Prince of Arran will head to Australia next for a tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
He chased Withhold home in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time having prevoiously finished third in the Grade One Belmont Gold Cup in America.
"He’s a remarkable horse. For a horse that has been to Dubai, Chester, New York, and to the Northumberland Plate he takes his racing so well," the trainer told the 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend.
“I was gutted to finish second in the Northumberland because I really believe he deserves a big win. I know he ran a great race in Meydan, but to win a Northumberland Plate would have been fantastic. It just didn’t work out on the day. He was drawn wide and as soon as I saw our draw I knew we would need a bit of luck.
"Withhold is obviously a very good horse but I feel like he had the race his own way. For Prince of Arran to stay on the way he did, from out the back, and off a slow pace, I think it was a huge run from him. We were also giving Withhold weight, so it was good, and as a result the handicapper has put us up again.
"The Melbourne Cup is now the plan. That is where I would really like him to go. He has proven that he likes travelling and seems to take it all in his stride. I think the conditions out there will really suit him. I think a big field, quick ground, left hand turning track is all big ticks in his box. He is now rated 111 and has also been placed in a Group race, which is one of the requirements for the race, so hopefully he should get in."
Fellowes was recently appointed as the new chairman of the 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend and his St Gatien Cottage Stables will be one of the many yards open to the public on Sunday 23rd September, giving racing fans the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of Flat racing’s headquarters.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the 32Red Newmarket Open Weekend (22 – 23 September 2018), please visit our website www.newmarketopenweekend.co.uk. Kids U12 go free all weekend.
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