Two of our best three-year-olds in action on Friday

October 12

Westerton and Insanity, two of our nicest three-year-olds at Barbury, head off in different directions on Friday, the former returning to a mile and a half at Newmarket, while the lighty-raced Insanity, having made it third time lucky in a novice at Ffos Las last month, tackles his first handicap at York.

Gelded in July, Insanity made short work of William Haggas’s much-fancied Syllabus when stepping up to a mile and a half last time, hitting the line so strongly that another jump in distance ought to hold no terrors for him.

Most of Insanity’s rivals on the Knavesmire are much more streetwise than him, but he has looked the part in the morning recently, so, despite the rise in class, he must have an each-way shout in what is a hugely competitive Class 2 Heritage Handicap.

Westerton is also in a Heritage Handicap at HQ, the prestigious Old Rowley Cup. He has only finished out of the frame once in his last seven races, and even then only just missed out at Glorious Goodwood.

Overnight rain made the ground very testing on the Sussex Downs, stretching Westerton’s stamina on his first attempt at a mile and a half. Three times this season – at Ascot, Newmarket and Doncaster – Westerton has run a blinder over 10 furlongs, only to find one too good, but on each occasion he looked as if he could relish a step up in distance. Consequently, going back up in distance ought not be a problem for Westerton, who is ridden by Rossa Ryan for the first time.