Albuhera a shock withdrawl from Totesport Trophy
The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding had been backed down to 10-1 with the sponsors for Saturday’s valuable Newbury handicap.
Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: “Albuhera was available at 25-1 when we opened betting on January 19, but was cut to 16-1, then 12-1 and finally 10s before his withdrawal.
“Albuhera was easily our worst ante-post loser and we have had an early result in the race.”
Nicholls is likely to be represented by Monte Cinto, the only horse he left in yesterday.
The weights will go up by at least 15lb following the defection of Rooster Booster, Westender and Accordion Etoile yesterday.
Top of the handicap in the £125,000 feature is Royal Shakespeare, whose weight has been raised from 10st 11lb to 11st 12lb.
The six-year-old, trained by Steve Gollings, was fourth to Self Defense at Sandown last Saturday.
Last year’s winner, the Nicky Henderson-trained Geos, is just 1lb below on 11st 11lb.
Walker added: “If Royal Shakespeare does not run he will have another pound to carry, but top-class horses have carried that sort of weight to victory in the race before and it’s only three years since Copeland did it with 11st 7lb.
“The defection of many of those at the top of the handicap means Essex’s weight has risen 15lb from 10st 5lb to 11st 6lb.”
Essex is 4-1 favourite to follow up his victory in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown a month ago.
The five-year-old, trained by Michael O’Brien, is one of five prospective Irish raiders. The others are Noel Meade’s Power Elite, Al Eile from John Queally’s yard, and Arthur Moore’s pair Mansony and Tiger Cry.
A total of 39 horses stood their ground, although the maximum number of runners allowed is 27.
Martin Pipe has left in 13 headed by Marcel, whose victory in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown Park last month was his ninth of the season.
Ladbroke Hurdle scorer Tamarinbleu and Copeland, winner of this race in 2002, are among Pipe’s strong team.
The sole French acceptor is Francois Doumen’s Blue Canyon. A 4lb penalty for his victory at Haydock Park last month takes his revised weight up to 11st 10lb.
The going at Newbury is currently described as good.
Totesport bet:
Totesport: 4-1 Essex, 8-1 Al Eile, Tamarinbleu, 9-1 Marcel, 14-1 Monte Cinto, 16-1 Mansony, Non So, Power Elite, Roman Ark, Tiger Cry, 18-1 Blue Canyon, 20-1 Dalaram, Mcbain, 25-1 bar.
