Webber waits for Windsor
Atum Re, considered by trainer Paul Webber to be not quite ready for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, is to wait for an alternative engagement at Windsor the following weekend.
The seven-year-old showed himself to be a useful novice last season and Webber feels the conditions of the Windsor Castle Gold Cup will prove a lot more suitable for the gelding.
He said: “We looked at the Cheltenham race but took the view that it’s fiercely competitive and that we would be better off taking him to Windsor which is a race for second season novices.
“He’s very well and with an extra week I have more time to put the finishing touches to his preparation.”
Webber looks to have a promising stayer on his hands in the shape of yesterday’s Lingfield winner Modaffaa.
The four-year-old gelding is now unbeaten in two outings for Webber but the trainer will resist the temptation to put him over hurdles.
He said: “He won’t be going jumping as I’m sure he doesn’t want the ground too soft.
“I shall have a chat with his owners with a view to either running him in another all-weather race over the next few weeks or putting him away and bringing him back next year, when he will be trained for the Chester Cup.”
