The Shunter is set to face 24 rivals in his bid to become the first horse to win successive renewals of the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday.
The Emmet Mullins-trained Cheltenham Festival winner returns to the track from a 321-day break since finishing fifth over hurdles and has to cope with a 5lb rise in the handicap compared to 12 months ago.
The County Carlow handler is also represented by Jacovec Cavern, who posted a fine effort on stable debut over a staying trip at the Galway Races Summer Festival.
Willie Mullins relies on antepost favourite Sea Of Sands in his bid to saddle a fourth winner in the marathon handicap. The six-year-old reverts to the level after a successful hurdling debut on his first run for the Closutton maestro last month.
Sixandahalf has been earmarked for the Cesarewitch by Gavin Cromwell and heads to Newmarket off the back of a fine third in the Irish equivalent a fortnight ago.
The National Hunt brigade are further represented by Gordon Elliott pair Samui and Ndaawi, who was third in last season’s Boodles and second in this summer’s Galway Plate.
Meanwhile, 2022 Cesarewitch winner Run For Oscar, who is joined by stablemate Reverend Hubert, bids to regain the crown in Saturday’s 15:40.
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: JACOVEC CAVERN tops the list after a very promising first run for Emmet Mullins at the Galway Festival. Manxman’s claims are also pretty obvious after his defeat of the progressive Warmonger (pair well clear) at Southwell last time. Sea of Sands hasn’t been seen on the Flat for over 2 years but a recent hurdle success shows his well-being and his stable’s excellent record in this affords him plenty of respect. Premiere Ligne and Irish Cesarewitch third Sixandahalf complete the shortlist.
*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 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Cesarewitch 2024.
Queenstown
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 4 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 25
Only a Curragh maiden win to his name but he showed smart form when placed in a Navan listed race and Leopardstown Group 3 in the spring. Possibly unsuited by quicker ground when well held in the Ebor at York last time. Up in trip.
***
Samui
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Keithen Kennedy Age: 5 Weight: 9st 10lbs Draw: 9
Has thrived since switched to the Flat, showing smart form when a 17-length winner of 2m handicap at Killarney before backing that up with placed efforts at York (handicap) and Chester (listed). Below par when a well-held third in a 2m listed race here last time but still has to enter calculations.
***
Dawn Rising
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 7 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 18
Useful sort who was placed in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot in June before returning from a break to finish a creditable fifth (Sixandahalf third) of 30 in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh 13 days ago.
***
Roberto Escobarr
Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Marco Ghiani Age: 7 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 23
Smart performer who won a pair of Group 3s last year. Creditable fourth under a big weight in a Newcastle handicap on New Year’s Day but he’s been well below par since, including in 3 runs for this yard
**
Run For Oscar
Trainer: Charles Byrnes Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 9 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 2
First success since his 2022 win in this when landing a Kilbeggan hurdle in August. Creditable second in another hurdle at Down Royal since. 13 lb higher than 2 years ago so he will need a career best to emulate Aaim To Prosper and become only the second dual winner of this race.
***
The Shunter
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: James Doyle Age: 11 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 15
Smart hurdler/chaser who showed his versatility with a win in this 12 months ago. Posted a good fifth back hurdling at Punchestown in November but not seen since. Some training performance if this veteran can return from an absence to become the first back-to-back winner of this famous prize.
***
Magellan Strait
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: Oisin Orr Age: 5 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 8
Won the 2023 Irish Cesarewitch. Placed 3 times in maiden hurdles this summer but ran no sort of race in this year’s Irish Cesarewitch. Tough to fancy after that
**
Sea Of Sands
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: William Buick Age: 6 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Very useful on the Flat in Germany for Jean-Pierre Carvalho in 2022. Returned from a long absence to make a winning hurdle debut for Willie Mullins at Listowel last month and very interesting runner for a stable seeking a fourth win in this since 2018.
****
Trooper Bisdee
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott Bt Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck Age: 4 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 5
Progressed again when winning at Nottingham and Pontefract on first 2 starts this year. Beaten favourite in the Northumberland Plate in June but ran better when fourth in the trial over C&D 3 weeks ago. Might strip fitter for that first outing in 3 months.
***
Ndaawi
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jamie Spencer Age: 4 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 16
Placed efforts in the Fred Winter and Galway Hurdle show he can mix it in top handicap hurdles and he was also a respectable seventh of 20 in the Ascot Stakes in June in his sole Flat handicap. Same trainer/jockey as last year’s runner-up.
****
Evaluation
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Rowan Scott Age: 6 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 7
Scored for new yard at Wolverhampton (16.5f) in April and backed it up with an excellent second in Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in June. Respectable efforts twice since but the handicapper seems to have him about right.
**
Spirit Mixer
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 6 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 6
Runner-up in the 2022 Northumberland Plate and back to form with a pair of 2m Chester wins in recent months. Effectively running off only 3 lb higher than for the latter success but this looks much more competitive.
***
Aqwaam
Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Trevor Whelan Age: 6 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 22
Better than ever when scoring at Lingfield (2m) on Good Friday. Creditable sixth of 16 in the Chester Cup in May. Not seen since. Doesn’t look well handicapped enough to win a race like this.
**
Sixandahalf
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: R. Whearty Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 20
Bumper winner with a largely progressive profile on the Flat, winning a July Course handicap in August before a fine third of 30 in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh 13 days ago. Has to enter the reckoning.
****
Zealandia
Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: John Egan Age: 7 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 3
Started 2024 with a win on Newcastle’s AW but has failed to hit the same heights since. Back to that winning mark as a result but still tough to fancy.
**
Alphonse Le Grande
Trainer: Mrs C. O’Leary Jockey: Jamie Powell Age: 5 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 19
Completed a hat-trick when seeing off 13 rivals in the Northumberland Plate consolation in June but has been found out off higher marks since, finishing behind a couple of these in the Irish Cesarewitch last time.
**
Shagpyle
Trainer: William Muir & Chris Grassick Jockey: Frederick Larson Age: 4 Weight: 8st 5lbs Draw: 1
Heavily backed prior to doubling tally on first crack at 2m in 6-runner contest at Ffos Las in June. Creditable fifth at Newbury next time but well behind Manxman at Southwell in August and last of 11 in the trial over C&D last time.
*
Manxman
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford Jockey: Sean Dylan Bowen Age: 4 Weight: 8st 5lbs Draw: 4
Better than ever when opening his account for the year in 11-runner Racing League event at Southwell (2m) at the end of August, seeing off the progressive Warmonger (won since) with the pair clear. A good chunk of his penalty is offset by Sean Dylan Bowen’s 3 lb claim. Looks the best of the British.
****
Anna Bunina
Trainer: John McConnell Jockey: T. Kiely-Marshall Age: 8 Weight: 8st 4lbs Draw: 17
Very useful hurdler at her best, although she was operating a little below that level this summer. Has her first Flat outing since 2022 (won at Killarney in August of that year).
***
Premiere Ligne
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Jack Doughty Age: 5 Weight: 8st 3lbs Draw: 10
Winner at Lingfield (11.5f) in May and even better when runner-up on all 4 outings since, the latest in the trial over C&D off this same mark. Has first-time blinkers added to regular tongue tie. Respected for yard which has had a few go well in this in the last 10 years, including a win in 2016.
****
Bashful Boy
Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Josephine Gordon Age: 8 Weight: 8st 3lbs Draw: 13
Cracking fourth to the The Shunter in this last year but has largely disappointed since (mainly over hurdles). Not an obvious one.
**
Jacovec Cavern
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Hayley Turner Age: 5 Weight: 8st 2lbs Draw: 14
First run since leaving Paul Hennessy when good ¾-length second of 17 to Busselton in handicap at Galway (16.5f, good to soft) in July. Has more to offer for a yard which won this with The Shunter last year. Gets the vote.
*****
Story Horse
Trainer: William Knight Jockey: Tyler Heard Age: 4 Weight: 8st 1lbs Draw: 21
Has had a good year, including 2 wins, but he didn’t seem to stay when fifth of 11 in the trial over C&D 3 weeks ago.
**
Reverend Hubert
Trainer: Charles Byrnes Jockey: S. P. Davis Age: 6 Weight: 8st 1lbs Draw: 12
Useful efforts when winning a couple of chases at the start of the summer. Below his best when sixth of 7 in Galway Grade 3 novice chase at the start of August but still an interesting runner back on the Flat for his ultra-shrewd yard. Wears cheekpieces for only a second time.
***
Lady Percival
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Connor Planas Age: 6 Weight: 7st 12lbs Draw: 24
Four-time Flat winner who has been seen only twice this year, stepping up on her reappearance when fourth of 13 over 2m at Kempton last month. May come on again but she’s 4 lb out of the handicap and Premiere Ligne looks the stable number one.
***
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s horse racing tips for Newmarket & York
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Lucky 31 for Chepstow
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for Saturday’s ITV action
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for Newmarket & York
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