-
Timeform's guide to the Cesarewitch Stakes
Cesarewitch Stakes
14:40 Newmarket, Saturday
Live on ITV4
1. Tashkhan (Brian Ellison/Ben Robinson)
Snapped a losing run over this trip at Chester (heavy) a fortnight ago. A good bit more will be needed if he's to follow up here under a 4 lb penalty, however.
2. Wordsworth (David Pipe/Christian Howarth (5))
Smart on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien. Fourth on the Flat and second over hurdles for Josh Halley in Ireland this summer before making a winning start for David Pipe in a Bangor maiden hurdle 10 days ago. Mark looks stiff enough back on the level.
3. Jackfinbar (Willie Mullins/Rachael Blackmore)
Shaped well in a big field at Galway in August but he's failed to make a significant impact in top handicap company since, albeit there were excuses in the Irish Cesarewitch last time. Interesting jockey booking and no runners from this yard can be discounted.
4. Ocean Wind (Roger Teal/Sean Levey)
Placed in Group 3 company in spring 2021. Shaped as if retaining plenty of ability when third in 2m Sandown listed race on return in July but well held since (remote third in Salisbury conditions race latest). Others preferred.
5. Not So Sleepy (Hughie Morrison/Tom Marquand)
Smart dual-purpose performer who made the frame for the third time in this when third 12 months ago. Showed he's as good as ever as an 11-y-o when making all over 13f at Newbury (heavy) three weeks ago, but the 4 lb penalty he incurs for that will likely leave him vulnerable, at least for win purposes.
6. Tritonic (Alan King/Rossa Ryan)
Third in the 2½m Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting. Disappointed at Glorious Goodwood after, but back on song when fourth of 14 in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock (1¾m) last time. Return to a longer trip should suit and not ruled out.
7. The Very Man (Jessica Harrington/Kevin Stott)
Getting on a bit now but he's been better than ever on the Flat this year, winning over 2m at Ascot on Shergar Cup day. Respectable seventh of 30 in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh (17f, heavy, 14/1) 20 days ago, but will need a career best to defy his triple-figure rating.
8. Pied Piper (Gordon Elliott/Ryan Moore)
Smart hurdler for this yard who proved his stamina for this sort of test on the Flat when a creditable fifth in last year's Ascot Stakes. Reappeared with a respectable third on the level at Killarney in August and this has clearly been the target. Bold show likely and the booking of Ryan Moore is a sign of intent.
9. M C Muldoon (Willie Mullins/Daniel Tudhope)
Second in the 2021 Ascot Stakes, but down the field in the 2021 running of this. Shaped as if retaining ability after a long absence when fourth in a Galway conditions event in August but well beaten in the Irish Cesarewitch since. Something to prove, but wouldn't be a surprise if he bounced back.
10. Jesse Evans (Noel Meade/Oisin James Orr)
Has gone from strength to strength this season, winning twice on the Flat (good second in Galway Hurdle in between) and fine fourth of 30 in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh last month. Should give another good account.
11. Lot of Joy (Willie Mullins/William Buick)
Useful under both codes but has yet to fully fire this season, finishing behind a few of these in the Irish Cesarewitch last time. The mount of William Buick from the stable sextet but others are more convincing.
12. The Shunter (Emmet Mullins/James Doyle)
Smart jumper who also won a Flat maiden in spring 2022. Off four months, respectable fourth in 12.5f Gowran handicap in August and the step back up in trip is sure to suit. Yard's British runners are always feared and he needs monitoring in the market.
13. Typewriter (Andrew Balding/Callum Hutchinson (3))
Useful performer who ran creditably when three lengths third over 1¾m at Goodwood (soft) 17 days ago, taking third near the line. Step back up in trip should suit, but this demands more.
14. Zoffee (Hugo Palmer/Robert Havlin)
Fourth in this last year and also second in the Chester Cup on his reappearance. Another creditable run in an ultra-competitive handicap when sixth of 19 in the Ascot Stakes in June but his two efforts since have been underwhelming. Needs to bounce back
15. The Grand Visir (Ian Williams/Paddy Bradley (3))
Winless since 2019 but confirmed he's still a useful performer this year, including good third to The Very Man at Ascot (2m) in August. Held by Tashkhan and Emiyn on latest Chester form, though.
16. Aztec Empire (Andrew Balding/David Egan)
Recorded a pair of all-weather wins over 2m at Kempton last winter and even better form on turf since, going close over 2m at York Ebor meeting despite not enjoying a clear run. Something can't have been right at Haydock last time and capable of bouncing back.
17. Emiyn (Declan Carroll/Zak Wheatley (5))
Front-runner who added to his good Chester record when chasing home Tashkhan over 18.5f a fortnight ago. His third in last year's November Handicap at Doncaster shows he can mix it in competitive events elsewhere.
18. Law of The Sea (Ian Williams/Jim Crowley)
Some good runs for this yard but folded tamely in the trial here three weeks ago. Stable always respected in good staying handicaps but he's hardly an obvious one after the last run.
19. Vino Victrix (Hughie Morrision/Beniot de la Sayette)
Has yet to hit top form this season but latest 2m Goodwood fourth was a bit more encouraging and he's dropped to a mark 2 lb lower than when runner-up in this 12 months ago. Dangerous if bouncing back to his best.
20. Temporize (Syd Hosie/Finley Marsh)
Twice a winner for the Johnstons' in 2022 and looked better than ever when making it third time lucky for this yard when beating Robert Johnson (pair clear) at Glorious Goodwood (20.5f, soft) in August. Raised 7 lb but still looks on a competitive mark.
21. Goshen (Gary Moore/Rhys Clutterbuck)
Enigmatic but classy hurdler on his day who was placed twice in this sphere last season. Good second in a Sandown Grade 2 hurdle when last seen in April, and has the potential to win races from this mark in this sphere. Ground will be in his favour.
22. Golden Shot (Sir Mark Prescott/Luke Morris)
Won four of his first six handicaps, with the fourth success gained by a whopping 27 lengths at Ffos Las in August. Possibly found the outing coming a bit quick when only fourth under a penalty at Nottingham (2m) a week later. Freshened up since and remains with the potential for better.
23. Blazeon Five (Roger Teal/Trevor Whelan)
Pair of 2m Ascot wins this summer, edging out Temporize latterly. Creditable in-frame efforts on his last two outings and this consistent mare should give it her usual good shot.
24. Bashful Boy (David Pipe/Aiden Brookes (5))
Better than ever when completing a cross-code hat-trick this summer but he was a bit laboured when beaten 10 and a quarter lengths into fifth in the trial for this race three weeks ago.
25. Zenon (Willie Mullins/Saffie Osborne)
Won a 13-runner handicap at Killarney (1¾m, soft, 7/1) in August 2020 but not seen again until last of five at Bellewstown 16 days ago. Dangerous to dismiss anything from this yard but he needs to have come on a lot in a short space of time.
26. Land of Winter (Rae Guest/Aidan Keeley (3))
Wide-margin winner of a small-field handicap at Beverley in July but well held all three starts since, including in the trial over course and distance three weeks ago.
27. Geremia (Jim Goldie/Alex Jary (7))
Tends to start slowly but it hasn't prevented him winning twice over 13f this year. Never a threat but ran respectably when eleventh of 34 in the Cambridgeshire over 9f here two weeks ago. Significantly back up in trip.
28. Sheishybrid (Noel Meade/D. E. Sheehy (3))
Back to form of late, finishing a good length second of 10 to Grand Providence in the trial for this race three weeks ago. One of two solid contenders for the stable and has to be considered.
29. Yorkindness (Charlie Johnston/Joe Fanning)
Typical of one from this yard she's thriving on her racing, winning five times over 2m and further. Behind Tashkhan and Emiyn at Chester a couple of weeks ago, though.
30. Pon Aelius (Charlie Johnston/Franny Norton)
Runner-up here and at Chester prior to opening his account for the campaign at Goodwood (2m) in June. Plenty of creditable efforts in defeat since but well held behind a few of these at Chester recently.
31. Motazzen (George Baker/Jimmy Quinn)
Ended a losing run from a career-low mark when seeing off 13 rivals at Nottingham (1¾m) 18 days ago. Stays marathon trips and has been competitive off higher marks in the past. Carries a 4 lb penalty.
32. Mr Escobar (Willie Mullins/Siobhan Rutledge (3))
Fairly useful form. Seemed unsuited by a right-handed track when down the field at Galway but back on track when three lengths fifth to Jesse Evens at Killarney (1¾m) in August. Improvement will be needed but an unexposed profile provides some hope.
33. Wonderwall (Richard Spencer/Georgia Dobie (3))
Useful jumps winner who showed fairly useful form when runner-up first two outings in this sphere but his last two efforts have been a little disappointing, beaten 11 and a quarter lengths into third by Baez when stepping up to 2m for handicap debut at Chester 29 days ago.
34. Grand Providence (Andrew Balding/Hayley Turner)
Nathaniel filly who is going the right way, improving for the step up to 2¼m when seeing off Sheishybrid in the trial here three weeks ago. Effectively 7 lb worse off at the weights with that rival now but no surprise were she to pull out more.
35. Baez (Jim Goldie/Reserve)
Thrived when completing a four-timer between July and September but had her winning run ended when third to Tashkhan and Emiyn at Chester recently and she's 3 lb out of the weights here. RESERVE.
36. Stoke The Fire (Willie Mullins/Reserve)
Fairly useful maiden. Runner-up twice in handicaps around 1½m this summer before stepping up to 2m to fill the same position in maiden company at Tramore last month. Unexposed for top yard but he is 6 lb out of the handicap. RESERVE.
Timeform's Analyst Verdict:
Irish horses have a very strong recent record in this and that trend may continue, with Gordon Elliott taken to get in on the act this time with Pied Piper. Ryan Moore has been booked for this smart hurdler who should be sharper for a comeback run at Killarney at the end of August and looks to have been laid out for this. Noel Meade has 2 solid chances in Jesse Evans and Sheishybrid. Golden Shot and last year's runner-up Vino Victrix may fare best of the British.
Timeform's 1-2-3:
1. Pied Piper
2. Jesse Evans
3. Sheishybrid