Horse Racing Tips Sat 11th October – Nearly Caught Could Be Too Quick For Jack

Watch the Betfred Cesarewitch on Channel 4 at 3.50pm on Saturday.

Quick Jack has been all the rage in the ante-post betting for Saturday’s Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket, and, with Richard Hughes booked for the ride and a decent draw in stall 12, the Irish raider is likely to go off a very warm order for this valuable marathon.

The gelding is trained by one of the most astute handlers in the business, Tony Martin, and appears to have been laid out for a tilt at this event. Indeed, he proved that he goes well fresh when landing a big pot at Galway in July and his powder has been kept dry since.

All things considered, Quick Jack is every inch a worthy favourite before you even factor in the possibility of further progress. However, I just can’t bring myself to back him at such cramped odds (he’s as short as 5/1 in places) given the competitive nature of this contest.

The one I recommend siding with is the Hughie Morrison-trained NEARLY CAUGHT, who appears to be crying out for a proper stamina test and, at 14/1 with BetVictor, he makes plenty of appeal from a value perspective.

When Morrison books Ryan Moore for one of his charges you know he means business – they boast a 30% strike-rate when joining forces in recent seasons – and Moore, who steered Miss Fara to victory in this race in 2002, will be aboard the selection on the Rowley Mile.

Stall 20 could turn out to be a good berth for Nearly Caught, who is usually held up in his races. Indeed, those drawn low can often get shuffled back further than ideal in the early stages, as the wide-drawn horses migrate towards the rail.

Hopefully Moore will be able to avoid to the scrimmaging and get the son of New Approach into a good position. If things do pan out well tactically, im confident that the four-year-old, who was nearest at the finish when eighth in the Ebor at York last time, will be bang there at the finish.

Since 2000, predominantly jumps-based yards have accounted for six Cesarewitch winners, including Quick Jack’s trainer Tony Martin who saddled 2007 victor Leg Spinner. Philip Hobbs, who sent out Detroit City to strike 12 months earlier, also fields a leading contender this time round in the shape of Big Easy.

He was pooy drawn when well held in last year’s renewal and warmed up for another tilt at this prize by finishing second in the trial over C&D three weeks ago. The John Quinn-trained duo Moidore and Swynmor are also of interest, though the latter will need plenty of luck in running from the outside stall.

A strong selection of promising juveniles line up for the Betfred Goals Galore Autumn Stakes (Newmarket, 2.05) and the vote goes to Godolphin’s FUTURE EMPIRE, who lost little caste in defeat when narrowly outpointed by Aktabantay in the Solario at Sandown last time.

The booking of Richard Hughes for the promising colt looks significant given that the champion jockey’s primary employer Richard Hannon also fields a runner in this Group 3 contest, Hail Clodius.

The biggest threats could be posed by impressive maiden winners Order of St George and Strong Chemistry, though there are several other likely improvers in the mix, not least Charles’ Hills’ Commemorative.

Godolphin have strong claims of further success courtesy of Albasharah in the Betfred Mobile Pride Stakes (Newmarket, 2.40), but there could be lots more to come from the progressive BLUE WALTZ and she’s the one to be on at 11/2 with Paddy Power.

Another big-field, valuable handicap staged on the Rowley Mile on Saturday is the Betfred TV Stakes and the hat-trick seeking Battersea is bound to be popular, along with Frankie Dettori’s mount Rewaaya, who is also bidding for a third consecutive victory.

However, the one that appeals most is the unexposed NABATEAN, who is too good to miss at 12/1 with bet365. He wasn’t far behind Battersea at Ascot in July and enjoys a sizeable pull at the weights this time.

Tips:

Newmarket
2.05 Future Empire
2.40 Blue Waltz
3.10 Nabatean
3.50 Nearly Caught

York
1.50 Examiner
2.20 Sudden Wonder
2.55 Fanciful Angel
3.30 Aetna