2022 Cesarewitch Handicap Tips - Odds, Trends and Two Against The Field

Waterville and, our initial selection, had topped the ante-post betting for Saturday's main event. Sadly, a black cloud has been placed above the Cesarewitch after Adagio suffered a fatal heart-attack as he was being readied for a tilt at this prize and Aidan OBrien - who rarely has runners in this historic handicap - has decided not to send Waterville over to Newmarket.

Horses with National Hunt racing experience fare extremely well in this contest. In recent years, it's paid to follow Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson. This year, Mullins' raiding party looks surprisingly weak and Henderson's big hope, Ahorsewithnoname doesn't seem to have many pounds in hand - like Buzz had last year.

Since moving to Hugo Palmer's yard in the spring, Zoffee has been campaigned solely on the flat. Palmer's recruit won off 81 at Carlise in May and followed up off 84 in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle. Zoffee then ran a cracking race in the bet365 Trophy during the July Festival here at Newmarket racecourse, where Dettori's mount was only beaten a head by Soapy Stevens.

Zoffee was still on the bridle turning for home in the Goodwood Handicap, only to find himself a little outpaced in the closing stages. Last time out at York, Palmer's charge again travelled comfortably heading into the closing stages, but failed to find a clear path to the post from his position along the inside rail and could only stay on for third as Alfred Boucher - third in the Ebor three days later - claimed an impressive victory.

Zoffee seems much happier on the flat than he ever did over obstacles and it's clear from his performances this season that there could be more progression to come. 20/1 is too good to pass up.

Despite what could prove to be a tricky draw out in stall 21, CALL MY BLUFF appeals greatly from a value stand-point.

A poor run at the Galway Festival aside, Dominic Ffrench Davis' five-year-old has enjoyed another consistent season. Call My Bluff has placed in plenty of high-profile staying handicaps, including the Shergar Cup Stayers, the Chester Plate and most recently in the Watergate Handicap up at Chester, where he was only beaten a length off a one-pound higher mark.

Hayley Turner's mount ran a bizarre race in the Cesarewitch Trial here at Newmarket last month. Call My Bluff made the running, but was passed and seemed to be fading three furlongs out, only to find a second wind and hit the line really hard back in third. Davis' five-year-old is clearly still well-treated and if he were to find his way into contention, it wouldn't be a huge surprise.