Pears sure My Arch is ready for big race

The historic two-and-a-quarter-mile heritage handicap, part of Newmarket's Champions Day card, has been on the agenda for the eight-year-old all season.

My Arch, a dual-purpose horse who won over fences at Musselburgh last November, warmed up for his autumn assignment with a rallying neck success on Newmarket's July Course in August.

He is a 10-1 chance for Saturday's marathon, with journeyman Franny Norton taking over the riding duties from former champion Kieren Fallon, who cannot make the weight.

If My Arch wins, it will be the most significant victory yet in the burgeoning career of Norton-based Pears, a former jockey.

"My Arch is in very good form and the totesport.com Cesarewitch has been the aim for him all year," said the trainer.

"I was very pleased with his win at Newmarket in August and it has always been the plan not to run him for 10 weeks ahead of the big race.

"He has his back done regularly and, touch wood, all his problems are behind him at the moment. He couldn't walk two days before he was supposed to run in the Ascot Stakes but he was cantering on the day of the race, so we are hoping that nothing goes wrong this time.

"He did a sharp piece of work over five-and-a-half furlongs the other morning and was only just getting warmed up at the end. He is best when he is fresh so we will just keep him ticking over."

Unlike many, Pears hopes it continues raining in Suffolk for the next five days to improve the chances of his veteran, who will relish the stamina test.

"He is a stayer and he just slogs on through softer ground. He was only just getting going at the end of his last run and he had his ears pricked at the end, so the trip will be no problem," added Pears, who has trained a career-best 23 winners from 147 runners this season.

The market for the Cesarewitch is headed by Universal Truth, who is 7-1 with fellow Irish challenger Admiral Barry at 9-1.

TODAY'S Newcastle meeting has been abandoned due to false patches of ground.

The news is a big blow to title-chasing jockey Paul Hanagan, who had a full book of rides.