Cesarewitch Handicap Antepost Tips Following Tuesday Scratchings

Run over 2m2f on the Newmarket Rowley Mile course, the Cesarewitch Handicap is one of the most popular betting races of the season and forms the second leg of the so called ‘Autumn Double’ – the first leg being the Cambridgeshire Handicap held a fortnight earlier.

Cesarewitch Antepost Market

Currently towards the head of the betting market for “The Ces”, is the Sir Mark Prescott-trained PENDRAGON (7/1).

The three-year-old Camelot-gelding clocked up a nice treble at the start of the season, then just failed by half a length, to make it a four-timer when back racing at Sandown.

His best piece of form however was his 3¾ lengths second to Sweet William in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup on 12th Sept. No other line of form from any of the others will even come close to that effort, hence why he is the favourite.

However, his trainer has hinted that he may be aimed at an international campaign so punters should be wary of him skipping this race.

EAST INDIA DOCK (7/1) is a very popular horse with fans of both racing codes, and he has the potential to go off the favourite himself on the day.

James Owen’s dual-purpose runner was third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and took to the level straight away when scooping the Chester Cup in May.

At this particular juncture, it’s hard to see him not being a podium finisher at the very least.

Winner of the Turners Cesarewitch Trial Handicap was REVEREND HUBERT (8/1) and his penalty for winning will almost certainly get him into this 2m2f marathon.

The dual-purpose performer, trained by Charles Byrnes, did not go unbacked in the trial and was sent off at odds of 13-2.

The seven-year-old finished eighth in the Cesarewitch at this very racecourse a year ago, and will be bidding to move up at least another seven rungs this time around.

Irish trainer Tony Martin always has to be feared in races of this nature and his ALPHONSE LE GRANDE (10/1) will arrive at headquarters with another solid chance.

Form students may recall that Martin’s stayer was reinstated as the winner of the Cesarewitch Handicap in 2024 after an independent disciplinary panel appeal hearing overturned a verdict of excessive whip use.

The six-year-old son of Sea The Stars has been on somewhat of a slow simmer so far this season, showing plenty of promise in both the Ascot Stakes and the Stayers Handicap at York. It would come as no surprise to see him come to the boil in this feature race.

Andrew Balding’s BELGRAVIAN (8/1) was left with too much to do in the Cesarewitch Trail at Newmarket, but I suspect timings and tactics will be much different on Cesarewitch Day itself.

The three-year-old has come on leaps and bounds since having cheekpieces applied, and his current odds of 8/1 are a fair reflection of his chance.

Those looking for a big-price upset in the horse racing odds – and there have been plenty of those over the years, may want to check out some of the other dual-purpose runners.

Horses like THE SHUNTER (50/1), and SEDDON (66/1), bring their NH staying credentials to the table, and look even more interesting with a spot of juice in the ground.

Cesarewitch Antepost Predictions: East India Dock (7/1) & The Shunter (50/1) E/W.