WHEN it comes to training racehorses, Roger Charlton is very much of the old school – quiet, retiring, ultra-polite and very, very shrewd.

By his standards he was positively effusive in post-race interviews following Withhold’s comprehensive victory in the Betfred Cesarewitch, because here was one of the real, old style gambles carried out to perfection.

Backed from 12/1 in the morning down to 5/1 favourite, Withhold was soon prominent and led six furlongs from home.

Full of confidence, champion elect Silvestre de Sousa pressed on and came across to the stands’ side in the closing stages, pulling clear to beat old rival London Prize by nearly four lengths.

Lagostovegas finished a moderate third but very few got into the argument and, leaving aside Withhold’s clear supremacy, the harsh truth is that not many modern thoroughbreds stay marathon trips at top racing pace.

Withhold was still with Charlie Hills when beating London Prize at level weights last October. He was gelded in the spring and moved to Charlton to race for former football bookmaker Tony Bloom, now chairman of Brighton FC.

He cost a six-figure sum but that will have been mostly recouped last week. Withhold was having only his second outing for Charlton, having finished third over an inadequate mile and a half at Newbury. He received 8lb from London Prize on Saturday, the latter sticking on well and hinting at a successful return to hurdles before long.

“I hoped he would win but I didn’t expect him to win that well,” Charlton said with a smile. “The only doubt I had was when he started to idle a bit but Silvestre came across to the stands’ side for company and it was a demolition job really.”

A four-year-old by Champs Elysees, Withhold is still lightly raced and will surely go for Cup races next season. He could not be in better hands.

GARDENS BLOOMS

Moore had already employed similar tactics on O’Brien’s Galileo colt and 13/8 favourite Kew Gardens, who made all the running in the Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes over 10 furlongs.

Kew Gardens was dropping down to listed company and his price was generous in what amounted to a routine task. He went clear in the final furlong to beat Dee Ex Bee, who is not as good as his debut victory at Goodwood suggested, by over three lengths.

“I’d say that will be it for this season, although you never really know with two-year-olds,” the trainer said. “Kew Gardens is a Derby type horse and France is an option, for sure. He’ll start off in one of the trials next year.”

Godolphin had nothing to challenge Ballydoyle’s supremacy in the Dewhurst but Dubawi continues to play his part for them and sired yet another group winner on Saturday.

This was 11/4 chance Ghaiyyath in the Group 3 Masar Godolphin Stakes over the Rowley Mile, William Buick producing him to head the willing Dream Today before going on to score by nearly two lengths at 11/4.

Buick is riding extremely well after his nasty spill at Arlington, while trainer Charlie Appleby has enjoyed a highly successful campaign.

Ghaiyyath is out of the Galileo mare Nightime and may well make his mark when the build-up to next year’s Derby begins. He is a 20/1 shot in several lists.

MONARCHS FOR FRANKIE

The Frankel gelding Monarchs Glen is gradually learning to settle and Frankie Dettori brought him with a well-timed challenge to head Robin Of Navan in the closing Group 3 Darley Club Stakes over nine furlongs.

Still only three, Monarchs Glen did well against his elders here and John Gosden will put him away with next year in mind.