Saturday’s Dubai £500,000 Cesarewitch betting preview: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the final field
A 34-runner stamina-sapper is the big betting handicap this Saturday at Newmarket
AS ever, the final field for the 2018 Cesarewitch looks fiendishly competitive.
What else would you expect from a 34-runner race that has produced massive priced winners in the last few seasons?
1. Scotland - Jonjo O'Neill/Shane Crosse (33-1)
Top weight has been blindingly out of form on his last two starts but it's worth remembering he finished fifth in this year's Ascot Gold Cup. Now has his first start for Jonjo O'Neill and with 7lb claimer Shane Crosse enlisted he can be given an outside chance.
2. Stars Over The Sea - Ian Williams/Jim Crowley (20-1)
Impressive winner of the trial for this race but was handed a very easy lead that day. However, he only has to carry a 4lb penalty so is theoretically well-in and comes into the contest in the form of his life. Loves the track and stays forever so 20-1 could be a big price.
Ian Williams on Stars Over The Sea
"Stars Over The Sea is an out-and-out galloper and it will take a good horse to take him on in the early stages - if something wants to go faster, good luck to them! We will have to see if he can successfully employ the same front-running tactics in this much bigger field."
3. Precious Ramotswe - John Gosden/Frankie Dettori (20-1)
The Cambridgeshire-winning trainer/jockey combination team up with Anthony Oppenhiemer's filly who is dropping markedly in class. Successful in a Group 3 at York in May, she looks to be on a decent enough mark off 103 and is surely capable of a big show.
4. Whiskey Sour - Willie Mullins/Adam Kirby (16-1)
Adam Kirby is an interesting jockey booking for the former Grade 1 winner over hurdles. He'll need to improve on his Ebor sixth, but this extra distance could be just the ticket. First of a whole host of runners trained by Willie Mullins.
5. Stratum - Willie Mullins/Robert Winston (6-1)
Looked hideously unlucky in the Ebor after finding all the trouble in the world. Judged on that he's still very well-handicapped and he should be fine over this longer distance. Runs for last year's winning owner, Brighton Football Club chairman Tony Bloom.
Patrick Mullins on Stratum
"Stratum was very unlucky in the Ebor. From a poor draw he got no luck in running and it just didn't work out for him on the day.
"He was very impressive in Newbury the time before that and he's working as well as he's ever worked at the moment.
"Granted normal luck in running we'd be expecting him to bring home some sterling."
6. Top Tug - Alan King/Nicola Currie (40-1)
A decent horse on his day, he looks a bit too high in the weights based on his form so far this season. Nicola Currie takes off a handy 3lb but this will be the furthest he's ever run on the Flat and he could be a tad vulnerable.
7. Limini - Willie Mullins/Pierre-Charles Boudot (12-1)
Former winner of the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is very useful at her best. Carries a 4lb penalty for a narrow win in a premier handicap at Leopardstown last time and must have big chance for champion trainer. Interesting jockey booking, too.
Patrick Mullins on Limini
"It was great to see Limini pick up a big handicap after hitting the crossbar twice in Galway, but to be honest, I was slightly disappointed that she could only beat Law Girl by a small margin.
"That performance would suggest that she doesn't have much in hand over the handicapper, but it could be the extra couple of furlongs brings about a bit more improvement."
8. Here And Now - Ralph Beckett/Harry Bentley (20-1)
Pulverised his opposition at York on his penultimate start and if reproducing that must have a big chance even off a 9lb higher mark. Found the drop in trip against him last time but back over this distance he could go close.
9. Fun Mac - Hughie Morrison/Cameron Noble (66-1)
Looks up against it on recent form and has been very disappointing in this race for the last two years. Finished well beaten in the trial and will need to find something off an ever-reducing mark if he is to make the frame.
10. Stargazer - Philip Kirby/Rossa Ryan (33-1)
Used to be with Sir Michael Stoute but never really hit the heights expected of him. Since moving to Philip Kirby he's produced two good runs on the all-weather at Newcastle but has been disappointing on turf. Needs to find more.
11. Speedo Boy - Ian Williams/William Buick (20-1)
Definitely one of the more interesting outsiders. Was unlucky at Doncaster in the Mallard last time out but hasn't gone up the handicap and now looks well capable of going close off this mark. The extra yardage is an unknown but top jock Buick is on board.
Ian Williams on Speedo Boy
"I'm not entirely sure that this step up in distance will be ideal for Speedo Boy, but for the prize-money on offer it's worth taking the chance."
12. Just In Time - Alan King/Martin Harley (14-1)
Scraped home in the Mallard last time but only 3lb higher now and is still unexposed over this kind of trip. Alan King is very good with this type but he'll need to find more improvement to defy his lofty rating.
13. Low Sun - Willie Mullins/Seamie Heffernan (10-1)
Won a very competitive handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival in some style but was a flop on the Flat at Bellewstown last time. Might not have handled the track that day, though, and it was over a much shorter distance of a mile and a half. This longer trip will be ideal and he has a big chance.
Patrick Mullins on Low Sun
"Low Sun ran in the same race as Uradel at Bellewstown and again the trip and track on fast ground was too sharp. He's really improved over hurdles and he's a laid-back horse, which will suit him in a race like this."
14. Southern France - Aidan O'Brien/Donnacha O'Brien (15-2)
Strongly fancied for the O'Brien clan and could be well-handicapped off 107 if producing his best. Good third in the St Leger last time out when he kept high rank for most of the way and this is a drop in class. Will be there at the end if seeing out the trip.
Aidan O'Brien on Southern France
"He's in good form. It's competitive handicap for a three-year-old, but we're going to leave him off after this with the view to having him next year.
"Obviously the trip is what we're not sure about, but we think he's in good form and we think he is running off a nice mark."
15. Cleonte - Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy (14-1)
Hit the target from subsequent Ces trial winner Stars Over The Sea on his most recent outing. That was a Shergar Cup race so the form can be taken with a pinch of salt but he should get this trip and he only carries an extra 3lb.
16. Uradel - Willie Mullins/Billy Lee (14-1)
Another one for the Mullins brigade beat Limini at the Galway Festival but has since shot up the handicap and is now running off a career high Flat mark. Needs to show he can back it up in an even more competitive race here.
Patrick Mullins on Uradel
"Uradel is intriguing. He got a fantastic ride from Aubrey (McMahon) to win in Galway and a mile and a half on quick ground at Bellewstown was much too sharp for him last time. Stepping back up in trip will help him and he's probably the most unexposed of all of ours."
17. Kloud Gate - Gary Moore/Hector Crouch (25-1)
Ran a huge race at massive odds behind Stratum in the JLT Cup and although he was no match for a runaway winner at Goodwood last time he still looks capable of a big performance here. Steadily improving under Gary Moore and can be given a squeak.
18. Coeur De Lion - Alan King/Tom Marquand (33-1)
Been given horrific draw right on the outside and that spells trouble for a horse that will need everything to go right if he's going to win. Well beaten in the trial last time out and will need to better the form of his third behind Stratum in the JLT Cup if he's going to win this.
19. Uber Cool - Jane Chapple-Hyam/Ray Dawson (33-1)
Rapidly progressive having won three of his last four starts and only carries a 4lb penalty for his most recent victory. Has struck up a good partnership with his claiming jockey and has the ability to go close if seeing out the trip.
20. Royal Reserve - Michael Bell/Hayley Turner (33-1)
Seems to be a much better horse on the all-weather than the Flat although did win a weak handicap at Leicester in July very easily. Needs to prove he can cut it in this grade and has stamina doubts.
21. Vis A Vis - Neil Mulholland/Silvestre De Sousa (10-1)
Comes into the race off the back of two straight victories and did it particularly well on the all-weather at Kempton last time out, where he had subsequent Mallard winner Just In Time back in second. King of the Ces Silvestre De Sousa takes the ride and this one has a big shout.
Neil Mulholland on Vis A Vis
"It's nice that he is acknowledged in the betting because it shows that he has a good chance. We're just concentrating on getting the horse there in one piece.
"He deserves to be there as much as any other horse. His form stands up well - horses that he's beaten have come out and won since - and we're hoping the extra two furlongs will bring out further improvement.
"I don't think you can go into a race like the Cesarewitch being cocky. Every horse that runs in it has to be respected, but I'd like to think we've got as good a chance as anybody else."
22. Blue Rambler - Ian Williams/George Downing (50-1)
Sixth in this two years ago is his best run on the Flat for a long time and he's better known for his exploits over Hurdles. Now 9lb lower than that run so can be given a good chance.
Ian Williams on Blue Rambler
"I am very happy with the way Blue Rambler comes into this race - he finished sixth in it two years ago and is now 9lb lower in the handicap, so that gives him a squeak."
23. Eye Of The Storm - Keith Dalgleish/Rowan Scott (66-1)
Hasn't won since 2015 and despite a much lower mark this isn't the race in which he is going to break his losing streak.
24. Stanley - Keith Dalgleish/Shane Kelly (33-1)
Richard Hughes has made a very promising start to his training career and this has been the plan for a while. Looks on a decent enough mark but unlikely to be good enough.
25. Law Girl - Willie Mullins/Jason Watson (20-1)
Star apprentice Jason Watson takes the ride for Willie Mullins but she's yet to run over this far. However, only beaten a head by Limini at Leopardstown last month and that is good form. Only 3lb higher now and if she stays likely to make a bold bid.
Patrick Mullins on Law Girl
"Law Girl ran well behind Limini, she has a nice racing weight with less than 9st on her back she has an each-way chance."
26. Making Miracles - Mark Johnston/Joe Fanning (33-1)
Horrible draw in 31 and takes a marked step up in trip but coming from the Johnston yard it would be no surprise if he were up to it. Possibly on slightly too tough a mark, though he's still unexposed as a stayer.
27. Coeur Blimey - Sue Gardner/Andrew Breslin (33-1)
Disappointing last time out at Goodwood and will need to seriously improve to trouble the judge here. However, is a decent hurdler and this trip should be well within range so not discounted under a good 5lb claimer.
28. Theglasgowwarrior - Jim Goldie/Jamie Gormley (33-1)
Been in reasonable form up north this season and has looked unlucky on a couple of occasions, finishing just a neck behind Just In Time at Doncaster last time. Has a definite chance on that even off a 2lb higher mark.
29. Meri Devie - Willie Mullins/Wayne Lordan (33-1)
Smart hurdler won a race at the Punchestown Festival last season and clearly has the gears for this if she's back to form. However, no shows in her last four starts temper enthusiasm and would need to show more before getting involved.
Patrick Mullins on Merie Devie
"Meri Devie has been hugely disappointing on the Flat and we don't really know why.
"Her work at home is far superior to what she's been showing on the track and her hurdles form is far superior to her Flat form. We're going there hopeful and it wouldn't surprise me if she ran well."
30. Cliffs Of Dover - Paul Nicholls/Megan Nicholls (33-1)
Very good horse over hurdles has shown some decent form on the level too, winning three times under this rider. Needs to hit a big personal best to have any chance here, though.
31. Golden Spear - Tony Martin/John Egan (25-1)
Fifth in this contest two years ago and ran a good race in the trial for this to finish second. Looks to be returning to form at just the right time and Tony Martin is very shrewd. Likely to be in the shake up off a decent mark.
32. Night Of Glory - Andrew Balding/William Cox (33-1)
One of a handful for Andrew Balding didn't look the easiest of rides last time out, hanging badly when staying on. Will need to be better behaved now and has a fair bit to find from a terrible draw.
33. It'safreebee- Richard Spencer/Martin Dwyer (50-1)
Very smart chaser has been reinvented on the Flat and looks on a good mark from the bottom of the handicap. However, almost certainly not good enough for all that the trip should be ideal.
34. Melinoe - Sir Mark Prescott/Luke Morris (33-1)
Wears first-time blinkers and will need them to work if he's going to mount a challenge for his clever trainer. Not been in form since winning at Nottingham last August and this surely a bit too hot for him.