There have been a number of shocks in the Betfred Cesarewitch, the second leg of the famed Autumn Double, in recent years.
Two of the last three winners have started at 66/1, though Big Easy was only 10/1 when successful 12 months ago having earlier finished second in the Cesarewitch Trial at Newmarket. The trial race on the Rowley Mile course is a relatively new concept but runners in that contest are clearly worth a second look if turning up in the big one.
Low Key won it three weeks ago and his trainer, David Pipe, will be looking to maintain the relative stranglehold that National Hunt trainers have had on the big staying races on the Flat this year. His eight-year-old only has a 4lb penalty and Tom Marquand again takes off 3lb so a big run is anticipated from this late developer who is now a best 8/1 with Skybet and Paddy Power.
Tony Martin is another NH trainer with a strong hand as he saddles Galway Hurdle winner Quick Jack (10/1 with Paddy Power and Coral), Cassells Rock (33/1 with Betfred) and York winner Heartbreak City (also a best 10/1). The latter beat Saved By The Bell (66/1 with Skybet) on the Knavesmire but is 9lb higher.
Willie Mullins sends over Renneti (14/1 with Stan James, BetVictor and Paddy Power), a winner over hurdles at Sligo in August, while Alan King runs jumpers First Mohican (50/1 with Coral), hugely-priced on his latest second at Goodwood though no certainty to stay this far, and Grumeti (40/1 with William Hill).
Oriental Fox (a general 20/1) has been placed in group races in France since winning over further at Royal Ascot in June and won’t mind the forecast soft going and the ground could be a real factor this Saturday. They race on the Rowley Mile on Friday as well so it will be tacky, especially if drying out a little before the weekend.
Gordon Elliott‘s useful hurdler Bayan (20/1 with Ladbrokes) could be interesting off a low weight. He won over 1m6f on soft ground on the Flat at Leopardstown last year and is only 4lb higher at Newmarket.
The Brown Jack Stakes, run at Ascot in July, has proved a good trial for this in the past and four of the field took part this year. High Secret, one of four Sir Mark Prescott runners this Saturday, did best in finishing second and is a general 25/1 for the big race. But CINNILLA comes out best at the weights today, making Coral and bet365‘s 50/1 look very tempting for each-way backers with most major bookmakers offering place betting down to fifth place.
Ralph Beckett‘s filly had no chance at the weights in a conditions race at Salisbury last month but that should have brought her nicely to the boil for this.
