Byron Flyer (near side)
Byron Flyer (near side)

Fran Berry Column: Byron Flyer in good shape for the Cesarewitch at Newmarket


Fran Berry looks ahead to his ride on Byron Flyer in Saturday's Cesarewitch and recommends a horse that looks to have been underestimated in the Dewhurst.

The Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap is a brilliant race to be involved in no matter what you're riding but I've got a great chance of featuring in the finish on the Ian Williams-trained Byron Flyer.

He's got a likeable profile having held his form so well throughout the year since coming back on the Flat and he's now finished second on his last four starts.

That could ring a few alarm bells with some people but he's not ungenuine at all as far as I can tell and just looks to have bumped into some progressive stayers. Theydon Grey, Euchen Glen and Time To Study are the horses to have beaten him lately so there's clearly no disgrace in that.

Stepping back up in trip could also unlock a bit more improvement in him and thankfully I've been handed a really good draw in four. Anything in single figures is a huge boost when you've got 34 horses running over two miles, two furlongs and I've also got a couple of the better fancied horses, John Constable and Lagostovegas, drawn close to me.

There's something about these staying handicaps and I really get a kick out of riding in them, probably because I've had some luck in the past, especially at Ascot. I've never actually won the Cesarewitch but I've won the Irish version and would love to claim such a prestigious prize.

Ian also saddles London Prize in the race and he's obviously a horse I've had some joy on this year, winning the Northumberland Plate consolation race at Newcastle. He's been trained for the race and has a nice profile too but the draw could probably have been kinder as he's out in 28.

The other thing to look out for if you're having a bet in the Cesarewitch is how the horses handle themselves on the way to the start. It's a long, long way down to the start (another county!) and there are a few places where you have to cross over so it's more complex than it seems. Some horses can easily boil over, especially given the huge field, so it's something to keep an eye on.

What it does do is ensure a decent gallop as plenty of them are keen to get on with things by the time the gates open so I should be able to track a good pace before making a move.

The Group One at headquarters sees the return of Expert Eye in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes. He was seriously impressive at Goodwood but I don't think he offers anything in the way of value as a long odds-on shot.

It's all about reputation with him and while you have to respect what Sir Michael Stoute is saying about him, it's certainly not a one-horse race.

Emaraaty was a taking winner at Newbury and I rode the third Epic Fantasy who I quite like and feel should win a maiden soon enough. The winner poured it on from a long way out and had us all off the bridle by halfway so he's definitely entitled to take this step up in class.

However, I can't understand why U S Navy Flag is so big in the betting as he's the Group One winner in the field. Aidan O'Brien is clearly going all out to win it with four of the nine in the field but Ryan Moore's mount is the clear pick of them.

He's got plenty of experience, should relish the conditions being a son of War Front and only now steps up to seven furlongs for the first time. Purely from a value point of view, he looks worth chancing against the short-priced favourite.

Going back to last weekend and it was really pleasing to ride a Listed winner for Michael Grassick. He's the son of the former trainer, also called Michael, and only has a small team at the moment so it was great to be back home riding a winner for really nice people and Texas Rock could now go for a third Listed win of the year at Leopardstown.

I picked up another winner on Monday evening when Golden Birthday won narrowly on the Polytrack at Kempton.

Trained by Harry Fry, he's likely to be seen over hurdles at some stage this autumn before the ground becomes too testing, but he's definitely one to keep track of back on the Flat next year.

This weekend is a fairly quiet one for me personally but it's not the worst Sunday to have off and I've got four rides at Kempton tonight.

Popsilca ran a bit better than the bare result last time and I'd expect her to strip fitter for that first run since the start of August in the racinguk.com Handicap, though I'm not anticipating any fireworks.

Club Tropicana will appreciate being back on the all-weather in the 32red On The App Store Fillies' Novice Stakes after finding the Rockfel a bit too much too soon at Newmarket. She ran really well behind Poetic Charm over this course and distance earlier last month and has a clear chance on that effort.

Fit For The Job is a bit of a character and it all depends which side of the bed he's got out of. He's definitely capable of winning the 32red.com Handicap and I just wonder whether racing so late in the evening under the lights might just perk him up after a poor performance at Chepstow last time.

My final ride this evening comes in the 100% Profit Boost At 32redsport.com Handicap and So Celebre would have an each-way chance. He's lightly raced on the all-weather and is fairly handicapped on the pick of his form.

I rode him at Newbury two starts ago and he struggled on the bad ground but didn't run badly at Sandown since then. The step up to a mile and a half.

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