Run over 2m2f on the Newmarket Rowley Mile course the Cesarewitch Handicap is one of the most popular betting races of the season. Along with the Cambridgeshire Handicap, that is run 2-3 weeks earlier, the two races are generally known as the Autumn Double and both contests are always ultra-competitive.
We take a look at the best stats ahead of the 2021 renewal that will hopefully allow you to whittle down the big field – this year run on Saturday 9th October. Did you know 14 of the last 19 winners returned a double-figure price in the betting, while we’ve seen just four winning favourites since 1993?
Recent Cesarewitch Handicap Winners
2020 – Great White Shark (9/2 fav)
2019 – Stratum (25/1)
2018 – Low Sun (10/1)
2017 – Withhold (5/1 fav)
2016 – Sweet Selection (7/1)
2015 – Grumeti (50/1)
2014 – Big Easy (10/1)
2013 – Scatter Dice (66/1)
2012 – Aaim To Prosper (66/1)
2011 – Never Can Tell (25/1)
2010 – Aaim To Prosper (16/1)
2009 – Darley Sun (9/2 fav)
2008 – Caracciola (50/1)
2007 – Leg Spinner (14/1)
2006 – Detroit City (9/2 fav)
2005 – Sergeant Cecil (10/1)
2004 – Contact Dancer (16/1)
2003 – Landing Light (12/1)
2002 – Miss Fara (12/1)
Cesarewitch Handicap Betting Trends
18/19 – Aged 4 or older
15/19 – Had won over at least 1m6f on the flat before
15/19 – Had run within the last 2 months
15/19 – Carried 9-2 or less
14/19 – Returned a double-figure price in the betting
13/19 – Finished 4th or better last time out
13/19 – Aged 5 or older
12/19 – Had won over at least 2m on the flat before
11/19 – Had 3 or more previous flat runs that season
11/19 – Winning distance – 1 length or less
10/19 – Drawn in stall 13 or lower
10/19 – Had run at the track before
10/19 – Won by a NH trainer
9/19 – Had won 4 or more times on the flat before
9/19 – The first three home ALL returned a double-figure price
9/19 – Placed favourites
8/19 – Ran at either Ascot, Chester or Doncaster last time out
5/19 – Winning mares
4/19 – Winning favourites
3/19 – Winners from stall 1
3/19 – Ridden by Silvestre De Sousa
3/19 – Trained by Willie Mullins (last 3 winners)
3/19 – Won last time out
2/19 – Trained by Mark Johnston
2/19 – Trained by Brian Meehan
2/19 – Trained by Nicky Henderson
2/19 – Trained by Philip Hobbs
The average winning SP in the last 19 years is 21/1
Just 4 winning favourites since 1993
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: As always, a big field head to post here – 34 runners – so it’s a bookies dream race. Last year we saw the Willie Mullins-trained Great White Shark win the race by an easy 3 lengths and is back for more this year – he’ll be looking to become the first ever back-to-back winner of the race! The Willie Mullins camp have, in fact, landed the last three runnings of the race and are once again mob-handed with six runners – Foveros, Great White Shark, Burning Victory, M C Muldoon, Whiskey Sour and Micro Manage. Mullins has also managed to booked Ryan Moore to ride M C Muldoon and William Buick for Burning Victory. We’ve also another past winner in the race – Withhold (2017) – running and he’s holding his form well at the age of 8 to have a say and his owner Tony Bloom has also won this race since with Stratum (2019) This Roger Charlton runner is, however, rated a massive 20lbs higher this time than when winning the race four years ago and with top-weight of 9-10 that won’t be easy. The trends suggest to look for horses aged 5 or older, that are carrying 9-2 or less in weight, that finished in the top four last time out and are drawn 13 or lower. With all those in mind, the Nicky Henderson-trained BUZZ looks interesting. Yes, he’s likely to be one of the well-fancied runners, especially with Oisin Murphy riding and coming from the Henderson yard that won this race in 2008 and 2003. He was last seen running second in the G1 Aintree Hurdle in April but returns to the flat on a fair mark. He’ll have no issues with the trip, while draw 6 looks perfect for this 7 year-old too. Of those at bigger prices, the likes of Goobinator and Elysian Flame are interesting and it’s hard to ignore last year’s winner – GREAT WHITE SHARK – despite being rated 10lbs higher this time. He kept on well to win by 3 lengths 12 months ago and in actual racing weight only has 7lbs more to carry this time. Yes, no horse has ever won this race back-to-back, but he’s been lightly-raced since (2 runs) and we know the track suits. Of the other Mullins runners a chance is also taken on MICRO MANAGE (e/w), who has a nice draw in 7 and won going away last time over 1m6f at Galway. This is another step up, but he’s won three of his 6 starts on the flat and could have more to come over this longer trip – Colin Keane rides. Platform Nineteen, Calling The Wind and Just Hubert are others to note, but of those at much bigger prices the final pick is RAJINSKY (e/w), who won very well at Ascot recently. He’s up 5ls for that, but landed that race by an easy 4 lengths. Yes, he was well beaten in the race last season, but was drawn 30 that day so didn’t get the best of runs round. He’s in stall 9 this time and clearly comes here in better heart after that nice win at Ascot recently – he might be worth having a small e/w interest in at a big price.
