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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Horse Power: Rajinsky can win the Cesarewitch at Newmarket

GLOUNTHAUNE can win the Group One Dewhurst Stakes (2.55pm) at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon. While RAJINSKY can win the big prestigious handicap, the Together For Racing International Cesarewitch Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (3.35pm).

Aidan O’Brien has won four of the last six runnings of the Dewhurst and although his juveniles haven’t been as prolific this season Glounthaune may give him another success in the Group One contest.

Godolphin’s Native Trail sets the standard having won all three starts including an impressive victory in the Group One National Stakes in Ireland last time.

His experience maybe gives him the edge as Glounthaune has run just once so far, landing a maiden at the Curragh back in April. The son of Kodiac clearly needs to improve on that but it is telling O’Brien is happy to let him take on some of the top juveniles so far this season.

Filly Tenebrism had similarly only had one run before she landed an impressive win in the Group One Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket at the end of last month. And Glounthaune may be able to do something similar and put himself in the reckoning for Classic glory next season.

The feature race is the Cesarewitch and there have been some big-priced winners down the years, and with 34 runners lining up in the 2m2f contest on the Rowley Mile it is hard to rule any runners out. Although the winners have tended to come from lower stalls despite the marathon distance.

So a chance is taken on Tom Dascombe’s Rajinsky coming out on top at a big price.

The five-year-old has run well in similar contests throughout the season. He was second at Haydock Park in testing conditions in May; third in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle the following month and also runner-up at York.

Rajinsky landed a well-deserved second win of the season, when scoring by four lengths at Ascot last week.

He was way down the field in this race last season, but he had an unfavourable high draw in 30 and is now in an ideal berth of stall nine.

He is also in much better form and looks to have improved.

At the odds he looks to hold a solid each-way chance and with luck in running may just come out on top.

There are plenty of dangers with Irish champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins having six runners in his bid to land a fourth straight victory in the race. All his entries have chances with M C Muldoon, Micro Manage and last year’s winner Great White Shark – in that order – having the best chance of victory.

The hat-trick-seeking Goobinator – from another Grand National-winning stable of Merseyside-born Donald McCain – should also be in the firing line at the finish, while the Nicky Henderson-trained Buzz and another former winner Withold are on a longish short-list.

Godolphin have won four of the last five runnings of the Group Three Emirates Autumn Stakes (2.20pm) and the Charlie Appleby-trained COROEBUS – to be ridden by Liverpool FC fan William Buick – can provide another victory.

The Dubawi colt won on his debut at Headquarters and was only beaten a neck in the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes over course and distance last month.

He can resume winning ways dropped slightly in grade.

Appleby has the two favourites in the Group Three Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (1.45pm) in Hafit and Goldspur but in another Godolphin-Coolmore clash O’Brien’s BLUEGRASS – a winner at the Curragh in August – may help the Irish come out on top.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained MOSTAHDAF can deny Godolphin veteran Group winner Barney Roy to land the Group Three Darley Stakes (4.45pm).

Others who may score at Newmarket are the Michael Dods’ hat-trick-seeking course and distance winner GALE FORCE MAYA in the Listed Dubai British EBF Boadicea Stakes (4.10pm) and the Andrew Balding-trained ROBASTA in the opener, the Dubai Nursery Handicap (1.10pm).

At York the in-form STRIKE RED can win the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (3.15pm).

Trainer Richard Fahey has a good record in this race and he has two runners but it is Strike Red, who won at Newcastle twice and was a decent second at Ascot last week, who can come out on top in another typically-competitive sprint.

He has risen in the handicap since his latest win at Newcastle, but smart apprentice Billy Garrity takes off 3lbs and he should be in the firing line along with veteran course and distance winners Gulliver and Copper Knight from the David O’Meara and Tim Easterby stables respectively.

The Dascombe-trained EVER GIVEN won over course and distance in August and was a good second in a big sales race at Doncaster last month. He can return to winning ways in the Listed Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Rockingham Stakes (2.02pm).

Other winners on the Knavesmire may be Sir Michael Stoute’s hat-trick hopeful BAY BRIDGE in the Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap (2.37pm); and Fahey’s WOOTTON'SUN and SPIRIT DANCER – both under Warrington jockey Paul Hanagan – in the opener, the Watch Racing Free Online At Coral Nursery Handicap (1.30pm) and the finale, the Coral Proud Sponsors Of British Racing Finale Handicap (5pm) respectively.

The jumps season starts to get going at Chepstow on Saturday afternoon and McCain’s PRESENTANDCOUNTING can bring up a five-timer in the Listed Dunraven Windows Novices’ Chase (For The Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy) (GBB Race) (3pm)' while the Dan Skelton-trained PROSCHEMA can land the Grade Three Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.30pm).