IT’S that topsy-turvy time of the year with no-one knowing if the Flat season is coming or going.
But at Newmarket the Cesarewitch is a proper punting heat as always and you’ll be well rewarded if you find the winner.
With only 39 confirmations made today it’s a tad easier working out who will actually get a run than it can be.
Willie Mullins and Sir Mark Prescott have the top of the market to themselves with Timoshenko, Buildmeupbuttercup and Land Of Oz all holding obvious and strong claims.
But it’s the improving EDDYSTONE ROCK that could land the spoils at decent odds for Kent-based trainer John Best.
This lad looks more exposed than most in here, but has clearly appreciated the marked step up in trip of late.
This seven-year-old has won on his last two outings since being upped to two miles and beyond, and has clearly been targeted at this since his impressive York win, the latter of those.
Younger horses tend to be the trendy pick in this race, but the elder boys and girls lead the charge in terms of results.
Two seven-year-olds and an eight-year-old have triumphed in this since 2012.
He won going away at the Shergar Cup form, and while the doubts around the form of that allowed him to go off at 8-1 next time out in a red-hot Ebor Meeting handicap.
He got caught in the rear that day and made up ground impressively on the wrong side of the track to nail Rare Groove on the line.
The handicapper hasn’t gone wild. A 4lbs rise looks generous on paper and this galloping track and the likely cover he should get will play into his strengths.
Saturday – 4.10 Newmarket- EDDYSTONE ROCK 20-1 with William Hill (Bet now)
His turn of foot is his main ally at this trip, and fingers crossed the ground holds up as that is the major doubt lingering over his hopes.
Some of his form in the book gives you hope he could handle some rain, but any significant rainfall undoubtedly tarnishes his chance and could be why he is such a price currently.
The forecast is mixed as you’d expect for this time of year, but only on Tuesday does it look like there may be significant rain.
If that holds true and he gets at worst Good To Soft, he has a big chance and at current odds I can take my chances with the weather gods.
