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Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap tips: five for the shortlist

Last Updated: Tue 6 Oct 2026

Nic Doggett has examined Saturday's big handicap at Newmarket and has narrowed his list down to five.

The Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap – run at the end of the season, though not usually on very testing ground - has often sorted the men from the boys, with proven, battle-hardened stayers often coming to the fore; nine winners since 2013 had at least two wins over 2m+ to their name (either on the Flat or over jumps).

Dual-purpose performers have fared well (eight in that time had run over hurdles or fences earlier in the year), with all but two representing yards that are predominantly known for their National Hunt exploits.

Will all of this count against the unexposed (and potentially very well-handicapped) Sea Lantern? He lacks experience, but has a leading chance on Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings as he bids to give Brian Ellison a first win in the race.

Beylerbeyi

Best odds: 5-1

Any shortlist has to begin with last year's winner Beylerbeyi who rarely runs a bad race and has had his recent Doncaster Cup second (Berkshire Sundance back in sixth) franked in no uncertain manner by Caballo De Mar who has since followed up in the Prix Du Cadran.

Although 10 lb higher than 12 months ago when given a brilliantly cool ride by Billy Loughnane to beat Dawn Rising, he is 2lb well-in here (similar to last year) with his mark due to go up to 103 in future. He looks to have lots in his favour once more, for all his slow starts/hold-up style requires the breaks at the right time.

Quick ground remains key to Dawn Rising, and her fruitless season to date doesn't deter me as it means she has edged down the weights now back up to what is probably her optimum trip.

But her strike-rate - 5/33 - means that she is more of an each-way option, though the support early this week means there isn't quite enough juice in her price.

Watch an overhead view of last year's race

Kirchner

Best odds: 8-1

Alphonse Le Grande is back to the same mark as when he finished a nose ahead of Manxman in the 2024 renewal, and both are of interest, but their best performances have come on much softer ground, so I'm more interested in some recent form that involves Manxman.

He was one place ahead of Kirchner at York in a strong race won by Small Fry (Mountain Road second), with Valedictory (re-opposes and is owned by the sponsors of this race) a spot further back. With the horses that finished either side of him winning since, it's Kirchner who makes most appeal from the same mark.

Runner-up in the Northumberland Plate, Kirchner impressed on quick ground when winning his next start at Ascot, and I didn't think Ryan Moore gave him at all a hard time when ridden with more restraint on the Knavesmire. He looks the best bet for me.

The Sky Bet Stayers Handicap could be a crucial piece of form this year

Dream On Baby

Best odds: 25-1

Tactician's career has been interrupted by injury, but he is of interest on his pleasing reappearance third in listed company at Chester with more improvement to come now up in trip/with that run under his belt, but his mark has rocketed as a result which isn't ideal on ground that may be quicker than preferred.

Similarly, the aforementioned Berkshire Sundance's mark looks on the high side after a successful season, but that's not the case for Dream On Baby who looks fairly treated on a mark of 87 for this first venture into handicap company on the Flat.

Trained by Emmett Mullins who won the 2023 renewal with The Shunter, the mare is rated 132 over hurdles and should go well from those who are likely to race more prominently. She's preferred to stablemate Cock And Bull (formerly with Michael Bell) who doesn't look overly well treated on a mark of 92.

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Reverend Hubert

Best odds: 16-1

Eighth in 2024, Reverend Hubert was sent off the 7-2 favourite last year after dotting up in the Cesarewitch Trial a month earlier, but was given a more aggressive ride than has often seen him to best effect. As a result, he was only a fading fifth despite being very well-in at the weights.

That isn't the case now from this mark of 95, but he has proven his well-being (including when beating Cock And Bull and Highwind at the Curragh in late-June), and is likely to be in the frame once more if whoever rides him can keep their powder dry until late in the race. His trainer Charles Byrnes won this with the seven-year-old Run For Oscar in 2022.

Harry Davies spoke to Racing TV after Premiere Ligne's win last month

Premiere Ligne

Best odds: 33-1

Reverend Hubert is just one example of Cesarewitch Trial winners that have fluffed their lines (to some extent, at least) in the main event itself, but this year's victor Premiere Ligne looks of interest if sneaking in at the foot of the weights; he's currently number 36, with a max field size of 32, so would be unlucky not to make it.

Hughie Morrison has an excellent record in this race, and his seven-year-old was an emphatic six-length winner (in first-time cheekpieces) last month for which he picks up just a 4 lb penalty. That leaves him 3 lb lower than when unsuited by soft ground in last year's renewal, and a major player as a result.

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