Tomorrow features racing from the headquarters of both codes as well as a number of supporting meetings around the country.
The big handicap of the day is of course the Cesarewitch, the Newmarket 3.40. Darley Sun may well go off favourite. David Simcock’s progressive three-year-old is 12lbs well-in after his recent second in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. He has only been out of the first two once in 6 starts this season and will handle the ground.
Nanton has had a tremendous run in big handicaps and is really versatile with regards to trip but this just might be a bit too far for him. He also has an unfavourable low draw. Electrolyser has a 4 lbs penalty for a win in listed company at Ascot over 2 miles. He also ran well in the Northumberland Plate where he finished 5th. Wells Lyrical was runner up in that race and is one for the short list with the benefit of a good draw. He may be better with some cut in the ground however. Alanbrooke has been running consistently all season and is a typically resilient type from the stable of Mark Johnston. He finished runner up over course and distance off the same mark recently.
Dirar won 3 times over hurdles during July and is an interesting dark horse. Times Vital last appeared in the UK when winning a 12 furlong handicap at Doncaster just over a year ago. He has since had a couple of runs at Deauville which should sharpen him up for this and if he stays (he has not attempted this sort of trip before) he could be an interesting contender. Dayia is a lightly raced mare with some good form in bumpers at the start of her career. She was a winner last time out at Wolverhampton. The booking of J Murtagh for Sereth looks potentially significant. A winner 5 times in Germany his current handicap mark could well be lenient. Fast ground could be a problem however. David Pipe’s Mamlook has finished third in the race before, had a good season over hurdles last term and clearly has a chance, while Gordonsville, well handicapped on some parts of his form has an each way chance. Based on his win at York in August I think that Swingkeel looks a likely type for this race. He handles fast ground well. Lastly Judgethemoment was completing a hat trick when winning the Ascot Stakes in June and is now only 2 lbs higher.
I know that is rather a long short list but let’s see how they are drawn.
Firstly, Nanton, Dirar and Sereth are all drawn in single figures and I am going to put a line through them. Let’s have a look at those drawn 18 or higher. Judgethemoment (18) Wells Lyrical (26), Times Vital (34), Darley Sun (25), Gordonsville (33) and Dayia (35). With the trainer of Gordonsville out of form we are left with a list of 5. Darley Dun and Dayia would be my 2 against the field.
The form of Main Aim has been very disappointing on both of his last two starts but if he could bounce back to the sort of form showed earlier in the season he would have a good chance in the 1.50. I have a feeling that the Irish may hold the key in the Dewhurst at 2.25 with Steinbeck and Chabal looking big threats to the home team.
Fame and Glory is the form pick in the Champion Stakes at 3.00 but his price looks short enough for a horse that ran in the Arc 13 days ago. Sariska, Pipedreamer and Twice Over are both more than capable of being in the shake up but at the odds the value looks to be between Never on Sunday and Mawatheeq. Never on a Sunday has had a light campaign and is already a Group 1 winner this season. Mawatheeq is an improving sort and is well suited by fast ground.
The lightly raced Nehaam, who beat Monitor Closely at level weights earlier in the season is my selection for a trappy looking Jockey Club Cup at 5.25.
Over the jumps at Cheltenham War of the World is fit, in form and has the benefit of Richard Johnson in the saddle in the 3.15. The 5.00 is probably between Red Admiral and Kangaroo Court with my preference for the latter who made a good start to his chasing career at Uttoxeter last month.
In the 5.35 Alan King runs a full sister to Over Sixty in Miss Overdrive. A winner at Southwell she then ran well in a mare’s bumper at Aintree and looks the one to beat here.
At Catterick the big race is the sprint handicap at 3.25 where my tentative suggestions are Fathom Five and Cape Vale.
In Canada there is a strong challenge from the UK for the two big races there. Rainbow View has not turned out to be quite the star that we hoped she would be but she has still shown a fair level of form all season. She can go well in the EP Taylor Stakes while Mark Johnston’s Jukebox Jury can be a hit in the Pattison Canadian International and add another Group 1 win to his recent success in Germany.
Good luck.
All pictures today are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller. The picture at the top of the page is of the great Inglis Drever who sadly had to be put down today after a serious attack of colic. It is a great shame that he was not able to enjoy what would have been a well earned retirement.
ahorse 