Cesarewitch 2016

Entries are out, and Bet365, Betfred, and Totesport already offering 5 places.

Had an early bet for this last week, on the defending champ, Grumeti at 50’s. I was at the York meeting on Cesarewtich weekend last year, and was in the process of failing to back a single winner. Stood next to my mate on the lawn in front of the stands, as The Cesarewitch was about to start, and I said something along the lines of “I’m no quite sure why I haven’t bet Grumeti”. He then went on to land it at 66’s, and this, along with my lack of success at York, left me “slightly” annoyed. In other words, I was F*****g raging lol. I do like him though this time around, though no surprise to see Oceane, from the same connections, a lot more popular, and fighting for favouritsm, as he’s had a superb season. His chances don’t need too much explaining, and 14’s seems about right at this stage. Anyway, they’ve managed to get Grumeti back down a few pounds, and off of 85, which would normally be enough to get in, then he must have a chance of being competitive again, having won off of 84 last year. I like the pair of them, but the price appeals for Grumeti a lot more.

I’d love to see The Twisler run here, though (one of the?) connections have kindly given an update on The Ebor thread, so hopefully might have a better idea soon, as to whether or not this is a realistic target. I certainly think he’d like the step up in trip, though it might be sensible to wait for “Twisler” to give his/her views. I’m itching for a go at the 50’s.

On the subject of The Ebor, the ultra impressive winner of that race, my old pal Heartbreak City, not surprisingly heads the market, as low as 8’s. He was dynamite at York, an even a rise in the weights, shouldn’t stop him being thereabouts, and from a trainer that’ll surely be sending him here, then the bits of 12’s available on him actually looks very fair, even at this stage, and even allowing for his flop in this last year. It’s only that flop that’s holding me back.

The runner up to him, Shrewd, is obviously a serious player as well, he didn’t do too much wrong on Saturday. The eyecatcher from that race was Oceanographer, doing his best work at the end, and he’s impossible to leave out of things based on that. A very interesting entry, and the 40’s with Skybet is big.

Another potential runner from Ireland, who catches the eye, is the Jessica Harrington trained Modem. I’m a big fan of the horse, and he didn’t disgrace himself at York last week, when conditions wouldn’t have been ideal for him. He’s been good to me in the past, most recently when making the frame in The Galway Hurdle, and I think he’d acquit himself well here. He’s currently a general 25’s.

Other potential runners from across The Irish Sea, include stablemates of Heartbreak City, Quick Jack, who’s been third in the last 2 renewals, and is big at 20’s with Betfred, and also Ted Veale. I’d be surprised if Renneti doesn’t trap here, who was an excellent fourth last year, and Silver Concorde is another who surely has this as a serious target.

Qewy would have to lump a big weight round, but he’s been decent this year, and he looks ideal for this, certainly has the ability to shoulder that weight.

Cayirli caught the eye earlier in the season, though he caught the eye of the handicapper in the process, and he might just be weighted out of this, as much as I like him.

One dark horse could be the Jim Goldie trained, The Minch, who doesn’t have many miles on the clock, but he a had a fine start at Aintree in a bumper, and I’d be inclined to believe that is more of a reflection of his ability, rather than what he’s shown so far this season. Would not surprise me at all that this will have been the target all along, and I’m very tempted with the 40’s.

I have bet another one though, and it’s the Paul Nicholls trained, All Set To Go. Thought he’d have a bit of a higher profile by now, but having been a bit of a slow burner, he’s finally getting the hang of things, and think he has a lot more to offer. He’ll have enough weight, but as I feel there’s a lot more to come from him, then I have to have a bit of the 33’s.

Grumeti 50’s, and All Set To Go 33’s for me then, and very very interested in The Twisler 50’s, and The Minch 40’s.

The 2 will do for now though, and with 113 in there at the moment, every chance I’ll change my mind at some point along the way, and it looks the usual minefield.

GL