15:10 Newmarket

Saturday 23 September 2017

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Betfred Cesarewitch Trial Handicap

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 3m 52.27s

(5)

Oriental Fox³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| CD

16/1

Won this race in 2013 and was a narrow second in the Cesarewitch itself in 2015, though well beaten in last year's renewal. Still a smart stayer, as evidenced by a win at Royal Ascot, but below par recently and vulnerable under top-weight.

Form: 251500

(21)

Agent Murphy¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Martin Lane| T: B J Meehan| OR: 100

25/1

Has some smart form to his name having landed a Group 3 in 2015 but missed virtually all of last season and has struggled to land a blow in handicaps up to 1m5f this year. Still has stamina queries to answer over this distance.

Form: 20/4-664

(11)

Shrewd⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 95| C

9/1

Won numerous times last year before a runner-up effort in the Ebor at York and then finished third in this (7lb higher mark). Below par initially this year but signs at Doncaster last time that he is coming back into form. Shortlisted.

Form: 30-8093

(19)

Seaport^t1⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: S Durack| OR: 95

100/1

Multiple winner for Andre Fabre in France but was returning from a long absence when soundly beaten on his debut for this yard at Ascot in July. Others more persuasive as he steps up markedly in distance.

Form: 1126/7-0

(13)

Sternrubin³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Queally| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 95

10/1

Smart 148-rated hurdler who has done well since switching attentions to the Flat, winning at Windsor in May and again (impressively) at Ffos Las (1m6f, heavy) last time out. Hard to discount but overcoming an 11lb rise in this company won't be easy.

Form: 2/13231

(9)

Who Dares Wins^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 93

7/1

Useful dual-purpose performer who never really got into contention from a tough draw at Chester last time when returning from a break. Earlier efforts - including when third over 2m4f at Royal Ascot - entitle him to respect from current mark.

Form: 135-430

(15)

Oceane^v³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: F Sweeney| T: A King| OR: 92| D

20/1

Dual hurdles winner who won twice in good company on the Flat last year but has found life tougher off higher marks this season. By no means disgraced in a first-time visor at York last time but probably not the stable's best hope here.

Form: 955207

(20)

The Graduate⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A J Martin| OR: 90

16/1

Had a great year for Andrew Balding last year, winning four times up to 1m6f, though disappointing in two runs over hurdles for this Irish yard. Still, he's in shrewd hands and any market support would be interesting as he returns from a break.

Form: 416119-

(10)

Taws^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: B R Millman| OR: 89

12/1

Has been in the form of her life lately, winning over hurdles at Worcester and also landing successive Flat races at Chepstow. Much bigger questions asked now as she steps up in class off a higher mark but likely to give a good account.

Form: 70/7411

(7)

Havana Beat^t⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: A W Carroll| OR: 86

50/1

A useful stayer for Andrew Balding in his younger days but he's changed yards a couple of times since and it's over three years since he last had his head in front. Not beaten far in novice hurdles in the summer but hard to fancy here.

Form: 209-777

(2)

Arthur Mc Bride^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Liam Keniry| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 86

9/1

Hurdles winner who has proved consistent on the Flat this year, gaining a deserved win at Goodwood (2m, soft) last time out, winning going away. Ensuing 3lb rise doesn't appear too harsh but this is a much deeper race.

Form: 439321

(1)

Great Fighter^v¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: Ryan Tate| T: J S Goldie| OR: 85

33/1

Formerly with Goldolphin and John Ferguson, he has done well for this yard, winning at Ayr earlier in the year and two staying events at Musselburgh. Beaten three times off his current mark since, however, and looks up against it.

Form: 611525

(12)

Corpus Chorister³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: M Dwyer| T: D Menuisier| OR: 85

20/1

Disappointing when only sixth at Kempton last time but was in good form prior to that including when winning off a 3lb lower mark at Beverley (2m, good to firm). Would need a career-best to have any hope here.

Form: 2-42216

(18)

Mister Manduro¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Richard Oliver⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| BF

16/1

Just one AW to his name but ran a career-best when second to a progressive sort over 2m at Ascot (good to soft) in June. Respected on that sort of form but any enthusiasm tempered by two disappointing subsequent displays.

Form: 470286

(4)

Percy Veer^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-1| J: N Mackay| T: S Kirk| OR: 80

33/1

Proven stayer who is rarely disgraced but it's now 18 races since he last had his head in front. Just didn't show enough at Kempton last time out to suggest he can turn things around in this company.

Form: 54-3375

(6)

Denmead³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J Butler| OR: 79

16/1

Has won staying events at Bath and twice on the AW this year from lower marks and advertised his current well-being by finishing second at Kempton last time. Should continue to give a good account but this looks a big ask.

Form: 413152

(14)

Coeur de Lion¹²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-0| J: Hollie Doyle⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 79

9/2

Seventh in this year's Triumph Hurdle, he really caught the eye when scoring impressively on the Flat at Nottingham (2m, soft) in May. Probably has much more to give in this sphere and is very much respected despite the lengthy absence.

Form: 50532-1

(17)

Medburn Cutler^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-0| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 78| D

40/1

Useful, consistent stayer who handles testing conditions but hasn't quite managed to grab a win this year. Just edged out behind Taws over 2m at Goodwood last time and likely to give another good account without being quite good enough.

Form: 422042

(16)

Hawkerland⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-0| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 78| BF

10/1

Seemed to run too bad to be true when sent off favourite for a hot handicap over 2m4f in the mud at Glorious Goodwood, having won his previous starts in handicap company. Very low mileage and possibly worth another chance.

Form: 0/64110

(8)

Graceful Lady¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-0| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 75

25/1

A real revelation this season, making it four wins for the year when winning over 2m at York (good to soft) in July. By no means disgraced when fourth off a revised mark there last time but handicapper may now be in control.

Form: 111214

Non-Runners

(3)

Time To Study⁸

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: Andrea Atzeni

Forecasts

Coeur de Lion (9/2), Time To Study (11/2), Who Dares Wins (7/1), Shrewd (9/1), Arthur Mc Bride (9/1), Hawkerland (10/1), Sternrubin (10/1), Taws (12/1), Oriental Fox (16/1), The Graduate (16/1), Denmead (16/1), Mister Manduro (16/1), Oceane (20/1), Corpus Chorister (20/1), Graceful Lady (25/1), Agent Murphy (25/1), Great Fighter (33/1), Percy Veer (33/1), Medburn Cutler (40/1), Havana Beat (50/1), Seaport (100/1)

Alan King boasts a strong hand in what looks a wide-open renewal with his lightly-raced Coeur De Lion and Who Dares Wins each worthy of a place on any shortlist, whilst it would be no surprise if Hawkerland was to prove his abject Glorious Goodwood effort all wrong. Last time out winners Sternrubin and Time To Study also make appeal but any value may lie with SHREWD who was third in this race 12 months ago from a 7lb higher mark and hinted he may be coming back to the boil at Doncaster last time.