Timeform / Timeform / 16 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Champions Day this year is some way from fulfilling its billing, with Sea The Stars already breeding shed-bound and a number of leading two-year-olds, the likes of Arcano and Canford Cliffs amongst them, swerving the Dewhurst, writes Timeform. So, does this mean that the three feature races are rendered less competitive and the front of the market is the place to concentrate on?

"One horse who may well have been heralded a champion without Sea The Stars in his way is Fame And Glory."

The Dewhurst is first up and it's easy to see why Chabal will be the cornerstone of many multiples this weekend. He hails from the Bolger stable that has sent out the last three winners of the Dewhurst, namely Teofilo, New Approach and Intense Focus.

He won a maiden at Leopardstown on his debut before an excellent second to Kingsfort in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh only a week later, looking at least as good as the winner in a slowly-run race. He has the scope for plenty more improvement after just two outings. But, he has raced only on ground softer than good and his form is only marginally ahead of Silver Grecian's. The latter, a cheap buy who won his first three starts, including a Group 2 at Newmarket in July, lost nothing in defeat under a penalty behind Poet's Voice last time and has a good turn of foot. Steinbeck and Xtension are other improvers likely to play a part. Chabal gains a narrow verdict on points, but is no champion yet.

One who may well have been heralded a champion without Sea The Stars in his way is Fame And Glory. Three times he tackled John Oxx's monster and three times he tasted defeat. With the Arc winner retired, this should be a straightforward task, surely? Maybe. He undoubtedly has the best form on offer, but also a couple of potential chinks in his armour for those looking to take him on at short odds, namely the proximity of this race to the Arc, in which he was a somewhat disappointing sixth, and the possibility of fast ground.

The more emphasis on stamina the better for Fame And Glory over this trip, whilst he's so far raced only on good or softer. Tactics are sure to play a big part and, in Never On Sunday and Mawatheeq, there are realistic, if not 'champion', alternatives ready to take advantage.

Thirty-four runners in a stamina-sapping competitive handicap hardly suggests any favourite is likely to be 'banker' material, but it's arguable that Darley Sun is harder to knock than either the Dewhurst or Champion market leaders. A fast-improving three-year-old who could well be a blot on the handicap, David Simcock's colt followed three wins with an excellent neck second to Askar Tau in the Doncaster Cup and his mark has gone up 12 lb since the weights for this race were published.

Unusually for a long-distance race, the draw is quite significant in the Cesarewitch, with those in the high numbers having been favoured over the years, and the favourite is handily berthed in 25. Bar the sheer weight of opposition, he's hard to pick holes in.

Tags: Fame and Glory, Horseracing betting odds, Horseracing Betting tips, Sea The Stars, The Dewhurst Stakes