Cesarewitch Preview: Emmet Can Win Battle Of Mullins

The big betting race on Saturday is unquestionably the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, with a stacked field of 24 clashing over a trip of 2m2f. The Shunter for Emmet Mullins will aim to become the first horse in history to defend his crown in the prestigious race, but while Billy Grimshaw thinks the trainer will once again be smiling come the end of the race, he's not convinced it'll be because of the 2023 king...

I assure you, dear reader, when starting out in this tipping lark we all dream of tipping up huge priced outsiders who bolt up in handicaps like the Cesarewitch. To those who had Grumeti in 2015 at 50/1, I salute you. However, when I was studying the 2024 Cesarewitch I kept coming back to one horse, and unfortunately he is nowhere near 50/1 or even double figures. I do though think he has an absolutely outstanding chance and - all being well - I'd be flabbergasted if the 6/1 chance is not in the first six home.

The horse I will be siding with is JACOVEC CAVERN for last year's winning trainer Emmet Mullins. Clearly Mullins knows how to prep a horse for this race, as his masterful handling of The Shunter - who would bring the house down if winning for the second year in a row but is surely vulnerable to younger better handicapped horses this time around - and considering the profile of this ex Mick Channon and Paul Hennessy runner who ran a race packed full of promise on yard debut last time out at Galway when just edged out by Busselton, he will surely be in the shake-up.

Mullins is one of the best in the business at picking up horses like this from lesser yards and galvanizing them, so judging by the horse's upturn in fortunes at Galway that day in a race where he perhaps was asked to do a bit too much following a sluggish start, it would be no surprise to see him take another big step forward here and make a bit of a mockery of his mark of just 83.

Running off just eight stone three Mullins was limited for which riders would be able to take the job, but in Hayley Turner he has snagged one of the best and providing he breaks evenly and is allowed to switch off in the early stages of the race, he should relish the test of stamina that is ahead of him and if he has the kick he had at Galway to close and jostle with Busselton in the dying strides, or indeed is in even better nick for his perceived target, I just cannot see him not being involved. Of course there are danger for win only punters - it is the Cesarewitch after all - but in a race like this I don't think I've had a more confident each-way bet all season.

The reason he is not favourite is another man named Mullins - a certain Willie - has an ex German flat horse in his ranks who also looks set to have been laid out for this by the master of Closutton. For all that Sea Of Sands could well improve a multitude of pounds here from his cobweb blowing first run in two years last time out in a maiden hurdle, I would still prefer to be with Jocovec Cavern especially in receipt of a stone from Willie's runner. Swap the trainers around and we would have a different favourite, of that I'm fairly certain.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see these two both in the fullness of time be proven to be ridiculously well handicapped in this race and pull well clear to form the 1-2, however there were a few at bigger prices I thought were worthy of more than a token mention. Queenstown for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore has a tough job on with top weight but is surely better than what he showed in the Ebor and looks a big price, while I'd also be willing to forgive Samui at 25/1 for Gordon Elliott a poor run here last time out. he showed smart form on all runs before that one this season and was perhaps not keen on the soft ground the last day.