Cesarewitch tips and runner-by-runner guide to Newmarket 2.40 on Saturday

A huge field for one of the most competitive handicaps on the calendar.

Pied Piper

By / Horse Racing Tips / 12 months ago

Gordon Elliott has booked Ryan Moore to ride antepost favourite Pied Piper in the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Grade 2-winning hurdler warmed up for the stamina-sapping contest with a spin on the level at Killarney in August and faces a maximum field of 33 rivals in the Heritage Handicap at 14:40.

Pied Piper is one of a number of high-profile Jumps horses in the Cesarewitch line up as Goshen, Jesse Evans, Not So Sleepy and The Shunter also take their chance.

National Hunt’s top trainer, Willie Mullins, is bidding to win the race for a record-equalling fourth time and he saddles five including Jackfinbar, who finished eighth in last month’s Irish equivalent.

It looks like being a typically competitive affair with Cesarewitch Trial winner Grand Providence already proving his credentials over course and distance and last year’s runner-up Vino Victrix set to run off a 2lb lower mark in the handicap.

The latest Cesarewitch odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Cesarewitch verdict

Timeform: 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.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Cesarewitch runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Cesarewitch 2023.

Tashkhan

Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Ben Robinson Age: 5 Weight: 10st 2lbs Draw: 15

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.

**

Wordsworth

Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Christian Howarth Age: 5 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 34

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.

***

Jackfinbar

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 8 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 31

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.

**

Ocean Wind

Trainer: Roger Teal Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 7 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 28

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.

**

Not So Sleepy

Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 11 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 24

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) latest but the 4 lb penalty he incurs for that will likely leave him vulnerable, at least for win purposes.

***

Tritonic

Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 6 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 6

Third in the 2½m Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting. Disappointed at Glorious Goodwood but back on song when fourth of 14 in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock (1¾m). Return to a longer trip should suit.

***

The Very Man

Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Kevin Stott Age: 9 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 33

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. Will need a career best to defy his triple-figure rating.

***

Pied Piper

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 5 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 22

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 under Moore.

*****

M C Muldoon

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 8 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 16

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.

**

Jesse Evans

Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: Oisin Orr Age: 7 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 18

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.

****

Lot Of Joy

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: William Buick Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 30

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.

***

The Shunter

Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: James Doyle Age: 10 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 3

Smart jumper who also won a Flat maiden in spring 2022. Off 4 months, respectable fourth in 12.5f Gowran handicap in August and the step back up in trip will suit. Yard’s British runners always feared.

****

Typewriter

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Callum Hutchinson Age: 4 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 27

Useful performer who ran creditably when 3 lengths third over 1¾m at Goodwood (soft) 17 days ago but this demands more.

**

Zoffee

Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Robert Havlin Age: 7 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 13

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 2 efforts since have been underwhelming.

**

The Grand Visir

Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Paddy Bradley Age: 9 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 14

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.

**

Aztec Empire

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: David Egan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 19

Pair of AW 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.

***

Emiyn

Trainer: Declan Carroll Jockey: Zak Wheatley Age: 6 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 20

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.

***

Law Of The Sea

Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 23

Some good runs for this yard but folded tamely in the trial here 3 weeks ago. Stable always respected in good staying handicaps but he’s hardly an obvious one after the last run.

**

Vino Victrix

Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Benoit de la Sayette Age: 5 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 12

Has yet to hit top form this season but latest 2m Goodwood fourth was a bit more encouraging and he’s dropped to 2 lb lower than when runner-up in this 12 months ago. Dangerous if bouncing back to his best.

****

Temporize

Trainer: Syd Hosie Jockey: Finley Marsh Age: 4 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 10

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.

***

Goshen

Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck Age: 7 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 1

Enigmatic but classy hurdler who was placed twice in this sphere last season. Good second in a Sandown Grade 2 hurdle when last seen in April.

***

Golden Shot

Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott Bt Jockey: Luke Morris Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 21

Won 4 of his first 6 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.

****

Blazeon Five

Trainer: Roger Teal Jockey: Trevor Whelan Age: 5 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 29

Pair of 2m Ascot wins this summer, edging out Temporize latterly. Creditable in-frame efforts on his last 2 outings and this consistent mare should give it her usual good shot.

**

Bashful Boy

Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Aiden Brookes Age: 7 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 8

Better than ever when completing a cross-code hat-trick this summer but he was a bit laboured when beaten 10¼ lengths into fifth in the trial for this race 3 weeks ago.

**

Zenon

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Saffie Osborne Age: 9 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 4

Won a 13-runner handicap at Killarney (1¾m, soft, 7/1) in August 2020 but not seen again until last of 5 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.

**

Land Of Winter

Trainer: Rae Guest Jockey: Aidan Keeley Age: 7 Weight: 8st 5lbs Draw: 11

Wide-margin winner of a small-field handicap at Beverley in July but well held all 3 starts since, including in the trial over C&D 3 weeks ago.

*

Geremia

Trainer: Jim Goldie Jockey: Alex Jary Age: 5 Weight: 8st 5lbs Draw: 25

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 2 weeks ago. Significantly back up in trip.

**

Sheishbyrid

Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: D. E. Sheehy Age: 5 Weight: 8st 5lbs Draw: 36

Back to form of late, finishing a good length second of 10 to Grand Providence in the trial for this race 3 weeks ago. One of 2 solid contenders for the stable.

****

Yorkindness

Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Joe Fanning Age: 4 Weight: 8st 4lbs Draw: 17

Typical of one from this yard she’s thriving on her racing, winning 5 times over 2m+. Behind Tashkhan and Emiyn at Chester a couple of weeks ago, though.

**

Pons Aelius

Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Franny Norton Age: 4 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 5

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.

**

Motazzen

Trainer: George Baker Jockey: Jimmy Quinn Age: 5 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 9

Ended a losing run from a career-low mark when seeing off 13 rivals at Nottingham (1¾m) 18 days ago. Stays marathon trips. Carries a 4 lb penalty.

***

Mr Escobar

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Siobhan Rutledge Age: 5 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 32

Fairly useful form. Seemed unsuited by a right-handed track when down the field at Galway but back on track when 3 lengths fifth of 8 to Jesse Evens at Killarney (1¾m) in August. Improvement will be needed but an unexposed profile provides some hope.

***

Wonderwall

Trainer: Richard Spencer Jockey: Georgia Dobie Age: 7 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 35

Useful jumps winner who showed fairly useful form when runner-up first 2 outings in this sphere but his last 2 efforts have been a little disappointing, beaten 11¼ lengths into third by Baez when stepping up to 2m for handicap debut at Chester 29 days ago.

**

Grand Providence

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Hayley Turner Age: 3 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 7

Nathaniel filly who is going the right way, improving for the step up to 2¼m when seeing off Sheishybrid in the trial here 3 weeks ago. Effectively 7 lb worse off at the weights with that rival now but no surprise were she to pull out more.

***

Baez

Trainer: Jim Goldie Jockey: Reserve Age: 4 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 26

Thrived when completing a 4-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.

Stoke The Fire

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Reserve Age: 4 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 2

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.

Saturday’s Racing Tips

Read More

The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now

The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know

What do you think?