It’s Champions day on the Rowley Mile this Saturday and it’s a real Autumnal festival of flat racing.
The Group One Dewhurst Stakes will see Irish raider Rip Van Winkle go off the likely favourite, despite trainer Aiden O’ Brien’s reports of interrupted preparations for the two year old colt.
Further down the betting, consistent sort Lord Shanakill could have a good each way shout. The Karl Burke trained colt won last time out in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on good ground and an impressive performance here isn’t above him.
Derby winner New Approach is the star of the show in the Champion Stakes. He’ll be looking to do the Anglo-Irish double after winning the Irish Champion Stakes last time out and will have renewed the punters faith in him after an in-different performance in the Juddmonte here at Newmarket back in August.
The totesport.com Cesarewitch is the one of the biggest betting heats of the year and we don’t see this years renewal being any different.
Askar Tau is the well backed ante post favourite and available at 9/2 with the sponsors. Well in at the weights and off the back of a five timer it will take all the beating.
At longer odds, Daraahem at 25/1 catches the eye. barring the obvious question marks over the distance, he won in fine style in the mud at Haydock last time out and trainer Barry Hills knows what it takes to win a big handicap.
Last year’s runner up Carraciola is another interesting runner. The Nicky Henderson trained Cheltenham Festival veteran is a big price at 40/1 despite the weight and is sure to be staying on at the death.
