Cesarewitch ante-post tips: 20-1 and 16-1 chances look solid options

It is worth having a couple of darts to throw at the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap such is the competitive nature of the 2m2f race, and with several horses towards the top of the betting having contested the Irish version of the race on Sunday, there could be some value to be had on more certain runners.

One that does look likely to line up is the Jim Goldie-trained MOUNTAIN ROAD. Consistent this summer over two miles, he has been expertly trained this season by his shrewd handler and looks crying out for an even stronger stamina test.

When finishing fourth on his seasonal debut in April, he hadn’t been seen on a racecourse for 582 days, and despite his string of top efforts since, is now rated just 2lb higher than the mark he started the campaign on.

He has made up good ground from the rear in both of his most recent races, and particularly impressed at York last time when making up plenty of late headway to finish second in a strong heritage handicap at the Ebor meeting. His time over the final three furlongs was comfortably the fastest of the race and he recorded a Finishing Speed Percentage (FSP) of 110.89. In fact, he has recorded the highest FSP of the field in each of his last three races.

Similar hold-up tactics should prove more effective over this trip at Newmarket and he looks favourably weighted off this current mark, and overpriced at odds of 16-1. It is certainly hard to see how he is several points bigger than rivals he beat on the Knavesmire in August.

Another likely runner that looks set to appreciate this extra two furlongs is Nicky Henderson’s GOBLET OF FIRE. The six-year-old, who relishes fast ground, has run at Newmarket on the last four occasions and has yet to run a bad race.

Last seen finishing a distant but creditable second behind high-class stayer Gregory over two miles at this track in a blistering time, he was placed in a competitive heritage handicap at Newmarket’s July Festival ahead of last year’s Cesarewitch winner Beylerbeyi earlier in the season, plus beat the subsequent Northumberland Plate winner when scoring at the Guineas meeting here in May.

A likely big field and stronger pace could see him take another step forward (he has not always been the easiest to settle) and he returns to a track we know he enjoys for a trainer that has won this race three times previously. His current odds of 20-1 make strong each-way appeal.

back MOUNTAIN ROAD at 16-1 (bet365, Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet) 

back GOBLET OF FIRE at 20-1 (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet, William Hill)