3.10pm Newmarket Tips & Betting Preview 23/09/2017

3.10pm Newmarket tips for Saturday’s Class 2 race. The Cesarewitch trial is a good chance for horses to try the course and distance of the famous autumn handicap in preparation for the big day. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: STERNRUBIN was impressive last time, ripping a Ffos Las handicap to pieces. Big Easy won the Cesarewitch itself in these colours in 2014 for Philip Hobbs, Sternrubin has all the tools to win this trial and head to the race with a big shout. Coeur De Lion is progressing well, saved for an autumn campaign after a heavily supported Nottingham victory. He looks like the biggest danger, with Who Dares Wins and Shrewd others to consider in a fascinating contest.

1 ORIENTAL FOX – Dour stayer won this contest back in 2013. Went under by a short head in the Cesarewitch in 2015 so the course and distance clearly suit. High in the handicap, but has to be considered given his record.

2 AGENT MURPHY – Formerly very smart, he has placed at Group 1 level. A shadow of his former self this season on return from injury, can only be watched on this step up in trip.

3 SHREWD – One paced when third in this last season, now seven pounds lower. Has done his best work late on in recent starts over shorter so worth another try at the trip, each way chance.

4 SEAPORT – Winner over a mile and a half in France, he still looks a little high in the weights on the best of his form. A first time tongue strap is fitted now stepped up in trip, plenty to prove.

5 STERNRUBIN – Bold front runner who loves a battle. Despite a big hike in the weights for his recent Ffos Las win, he is still well treated judged on his hurdles form. Cut in the ground suits, more to offer now up in trip; the one to beat.

6 WHO DARES WINS – Stamina is his forte, fourth in the Chester Cup over this trip in May, he followed that up with a smart third in the Ascot Stakes. Good to soft suits fine, strong each way chance from this mark.

7 OCEANE – Back to form in the visor last time, staying on over two miles at York. That is his best trip, however a long way behind Who Dares Wins at Royal Ascot, dubious stayer.

8 TIME TO STUDY – Progressive three-year-old, dug deep to win at Doncaster last week. Tough campaigner, but a third run in a fortnight may see him struggle stepped up half a mile in trip.

9 THE GRADUATE – Progressive last season for previous yard. Joined stable who needs to be respected on their UK raids, but he has a little to prove regarding his stamina on this occasion.

10 TAWS – Dour stayer, she gets further than this on the flat. The ground will be fine for her while she has been competitive off similar marks in the past. Outside shot at the frame if they go hard up front.

11 HAVANA BEAT – More than three years since he last got his head in front. The tongue strap is back on which may help, but his form on the flat in 2017 doesn’t suggest that he is going to play a leading role.

12 ARTHUR MC BRIDE – Progressed well in the last year, showing a particular affinity for Goodwood. Will find it hard to dictate here with other front runners so is passed over at this level.

13 GREAT FIGHTER – Solid campaigner at shorter, winning at Musselburgh earlier in the season. High enough in the weights for now with most of his better form coming in a slightly lower class.

14 CORPUS CHORISTER – Produced a career best when winning at Beverley in July. That was at a considerably lower level than this, is going to need a significant step forward to figure.

15 MISTER MANDURO – Sole win came over a mile on the all weather last season. He has finished last in three of his last four starts and, with stamina to prove, he has little for recommendation.

16 PERCY VEER – Strong stayer, but a better horse on an artificial surface. Regular withdrawal of late on soft ground so these conditions will need to dry out for him, tough ask in any case.

17 DENMEAD – Arguably a little better on sand, he has run well twice at Goodwood this season. Didn’t quite get home over an extra quarter of a mile there but was in front at this trip, each way squeak.

18 COEUR DE LION – Progressed well since going hurdling last winter, backed off the boards the only time he has been seen on the flat this season. This is a step up in class but has to be respected with conditions ideal.

19 MEDBURN CUTLER –  Won over this trip from two stone lower at Chepstow, has found the trip sapping his stamina from higher marks including in this race in 2015. Tough to fancy.

20 HAWKERLAND – Didn’t give himself a chance to get home over further last time when pulling too hard. Unexposed as a stayer is worth consideration to fulfil his earlier promise at up to two miles.

21 GRACEFUL LADY – Enjoyed a successful season at up to two miles at a lower level. She deserves a go at this grade, but she looks outclassed on the form in the book, needs plenty more to figure.