The Cesarewitch has thrown up winners at 66/1 (twice), 50/1 and 25/1 in the last ten years and this year’s renewal presents another competitive affair (3:50pm Saturday, Newmarket on CH4).
Sir Mark Prescott (pictured) saddles four for this 2m2f race, Tony Martin saddles three and several other trainers are doubly represented, so sorting the wheat from the chaff in the 34-strong field is not straightforward.
Low Key (8/1) staked his claim when readily winning the Cesarewitch Trial, over course and distance, by 3½ lengths three weeks ago and deserves his position at the head of the market under a 4lb penalty.
David Pipe’s eight-year-old had already been raised 17lb for hacking up by 8 lengths over 1m4f at Newbury last October and is clearly on an upward curve. His two most recent wins on the Flat have come with cut in the ground, but he won on good going over hurdles and on the Flat in Germany earlier in his career, so drying conditions in Suffolk shouldn’t hinder his chance.
Moscato (25/1) could only finish seventh of 13, beaten 7¼ lengths, behind Low Key in the Cesarewitch Trial, but arguably represents Sir Mark Prescott’s best chance of winning his first Cesarewitch.
The Hernando gelding missed his intended engagement in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot in June because of lameness and was having his first run since May in the Cesarewitch Trial, so can reasonably be expected to improve a little. All his wins have come over 2m on fast ground, so he has to conclusively prove his stamina. But drying conditions are in his favour and he shouldn’t be underestimated on 4lb better terms.
Quick Jack (10/1) has the services of Ryan Moore and looks the pick of Tony Martin’s trio, despite finishing only 13th of 23 beaten 23 lengths behind Litigant in the Ebor over 1m6f at York seven weeks ago. The Footstepsinthesand gelding is 7lb higher in the weights than when a close third in this race last year, but only 4lb higher than when beaten three-quarters-of-a-length in the Chester Cup in May, so clearly merits respect.
If there is to be a surprise, Norab (50/1) could be the one to cause it. The Galileo gelding makes his first start for Caerphilly trainer Bernard Llewellyn after an absence of 147 days, but it’s worth remembering that he was made favourite to beat subsequent Chester Cup and Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris in a 2m handicap at Ripon in April. He was slightly disappointing on that occasion and on his final start for Marco Botti, over 1m6f at Newmarket in May, but has a squeak if anywhere near his best.
- There are obviously plenty with chances, but our Cesarewitch betting tips advice is to back MOSCATO each-way at best odds of 25/1 with Bet365, SkyBet or BetVictor, all of whom offer 1/4 odds a place for the first five places. By his own admission, Sir Mark Prescott has a lamentable record in the Cesarewitch, but he makes no secret of the fact that it is a race he would dearly love to win.