Norman Williamson yesterday resolved his latest riding dilemma when he decided to partner the John Hassett-trained Back On Top in the £100,000 Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury. Williamson frequently teams up with Venetia Williams's horses and his name had been linked with her Crocadee in tomorrow's race.
But he has opted for Back On Top, who was backed from 25 to 1 into 8 to 1 with Coral on Tuesday, even though there is concern about him being able to make the trip to Newbury.
'I've decided to ride Back On Top in the hope that he will get over from Ireland as the weather forecast is not that brilliant,' Williamson said.
'He won two decent handicap hurdles in Ireland last year and though he hasn't run for a while I'm told he's in good form.
'He's a decent horse and he's a handicapper and I think that's the main reason why I have gone for him rather than Crocadee.
'Crocadee is also very good but he is a novice. I also think Crocadee is possibly better over two and a half, he has a high cruising speed but whether he will have the kick for two we'll have to wait and see.
'He will be very good and he'll be a top-class chaser but on the day I feel the other horse might have the more experience.'
This is not the first time this season that Williamson has been faced with a difficult choice of rides before a big race.
In last month's Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot he decided to ride Howard Johnson's Direct Route rather than eventual winner, the Miss Williams-trained Nordance Prince.
However, Williamson has not been completely ruled out of the ride on Crocadee as Miss Williams explained: 'Depending on whether the other horse (Back On Top) comes over from Ireland Brian Crowley will ride Crocadee if Norman is unavailable.'
The Nicky Henderson-trained Geos has become the latest horse to attract good support for the race, prompting Coral to trim his odds to 6 to 1 from 7 to 1 and ease his stablemate Blue Royal out to 6 to 1 from 5 to 1.
'Blue Royal has been friendless in the betting since his promotion to top weight on Monday, while Geos has been steadily backed since then,' reported Coral spokesman Simon Clare.
Latest betting: Coral: 10-3 Mr Lamb, 6-1 Blue Royal, Geos, 8-1 Heart, Doctor Goddard, Back On Top, 9-1 Crazy Horse, 10-1 Crocadee.
