Racing preview: Dewhurst and Cesarewitch the weekend highlights at Newmarket

No fewer than 34 runners go to post for the two miles and two furlong event which is run at Newmarket at 3.35pm live on ITV Racing on Saturday.

The market leader for this year’s renewal is Coltrane who is targeting a third straight victory having impressively captured a competitive handicap at York in August and should enjoy soft ground. Great White Shark represents Willie Mullins and returns to action on the Flat having scored over hurdles at Galway in July. He has form on soft ground, but was a well-beaten tenth in this race last year.

Leoncavallo has won two of his three starts for David Pipe and shaped nicely on stable debut when beaten a nose at Sandown in June. He looks capable of further progression but there are slight stamina doubts over this trip.

However, Stephen Harris of BettingExpert is sweet on the chances of the progressive Not So Sleepy. Hughie Morrison’s free-going sort ran really well when fourth in this contest in 2019 and returned better than ever with an impressive win on soft ground at Pontefract. He will relish the strong pace assured at this trip and can come through smoothly in the closing stages if enjoying any luck in running under Graham Lee.

Others who warrant a mention include Dalton Highway for master Irish trainer Dermot Weld, top-weight Summer Moon and the unexposed Rock Eagle.

The other highlight of the day is the £427,000 Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at 2.55pm at Newmarket.

A race with a rich heritage, former winners of the contest include Pinatubo, Too Darn Hot. Churchill, Dawn Approach, Frankel, New Approach, Sir Percy and Rock Of Gibraltar.

14 runners go to post for this year’s renewal including the unbeaten Thunder Moon for Joseph O’Brien. He landed the National Stakes last time out and has to be high on the shortlist. Chindit and Etonian are also both unbeaten for Richard Hannon having won the Champagne Stakes and Solario Stakes, with Chindit reportedly doing a sensational piece of work earlier this week.

Alkumait has been supplemented for the contest on the back of a smart success in the Mill Reef Stakes and has to be feared along with Cadillac who impressively landed the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes and is capable of further progression along with Wembley who shaped nicely when second to Thunder Moon on his latest outing.

The £47,000 Group Three Zetland Stakes (1.45pm) could throw up some early clues for next year’s St Leger. The 2017 hero Kew Gardens went on to taste Classic glory in the St Leger in 2018 and his trainer Aidan O’Brien saddles the exciting Kyprios. He was a smart winner of a Galway maiden on his latest start and looks an exciting prospect.

Others to consider include Fabilis, a son of Frankel who has won his last two starts and Lone Eagle who was successful on Town Moor on his latest start.

Weekend NAP: 1:45: Newmarket: Kyprios (Saturday)

Cesarewitch Selection from Stephen Harris of BettingExpert: Not So Sleepy

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert