Decent draw can finally give Philip Hobbs' star a fair reward
ODD as it may seem in a race run over two miles and two furlongs, the one significant pointer to consider when trying to find the winner of the Cesarewitch is the draw.
Ten of the last 11 winners of the £160,000 Newmarket contest have been drawn in stall 17 or higher, the exception being Caracciola's 50-1 victory last season who came from 11.
Favourite Darley Sun has a prime pitch from stall 25 and David Simcock's three-year-old has 3lb taken off his back by useful apprentice Andrea Atzeni.
The fact that he was just a neck behind top stayer Askar Tau in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup, with Geordieland behind, means he looks a handicap good thing off 8st 9lb.
Darley Sun must go on the shortlist along with Royal Rationale, Truckers Delight and FAIR ALONG (3.40).
The selection, a grand servant for jumps trainer Philip Hobbs, was third in this race two years ago - the runner-up in that returned to win it last year - and he deserves to land a big prize. He's been second in the Triumph Hurdle, second in an Arkle and second in a Chester Cup.
Fair Along runs well when fresh, has Kieren Fallon in the saddle, has a good draw (29) and is fairly-priced at 16-1.
Fit from jumping, the John Hanlon-trained Truckers Delight has stamina in abundance. Drawn in stall 36 and, with crack Irish jockey Colm O'Donoghue on board, he could be worth at look at 25-1 with William Hill.
The same sentiments apply to David Pipe's Royal Rationale (drawn 28), the mount of Seb Sanders, who is on offer at 20-1 with Ladbrokes.
