Totesport Cesarewitch Racing Tips (October 14th)

Looking ahead to the second leg of the Autumn Double, the totesport Cesarewitch, which is run at Newmarket on October 14, there are some real value bets to be had with Signatory being a case in point at a ridiculously generous 20/1 with Blue Square. Quite why John Gosden's charge is such a price is beyond me. The son of Kris S was sent off the 11/2 favourite for the Ebor at York on August 23 but stumbled upon leaving the stalls and had to race wide before weakening in the home straight, finishing last of 19. That effort is clearly best forgotten as circumstances conspired against him and he is far, far better than that. Indeed, the four-year-old looked most progressive prior to that and was particularly impressive when beating fellow 'Ces' candidates River Alhaarth and Lets Roll by three lengths and a length respectively on the Rowley Mile back in May. Although this trip of two miles and two furlongs represents unchartered waters with regard to stamina for the Sheikh Mohammed-owned colt, this strong-galloping sort shapes as though it'll be within his compass and, providing that the going is riding on the easy side of good on the day, I expect him to be there or thereabouts. Another horse that I can envisage being bang there at the finish is the Neville Callaghan-trained Finalmente, who has gone from strength to strength this season and rates a cracking bet at 20s with bet365. The Kahyasi gelding shaped as though this marathon trip would be ideal when getting up close home to beat dual subsequent winner Elusive Dream in a hugely competitive contest on Polytrack at Lingfield in July. The only blot on Finalmente's copybook for the current season was when he finished down the pack in the Northumberland Plate, but he got caught up in the traffic problems which blighted so many of the come-from-behind performers that day and it's an effort to be ignored, put simply. Since his victory on the all-weather track, Finalmente has been put away for this race so as to preserve his handicap mark. They invariably go a very good clip in this event which will suit this strong finisher. I cannot see him finishing out of the money. He will also go on any ground. That, however, is not a remark which extends to current market leader Leg Spinner. All of the Irish raider's best form has come on top of the ground and while it's not beyond the realms of possibility that conditions could be on the quick side at Newmarket on October 14, it is far more likely that the going will be good or softer. Naturally, Tony Martin's charge, who hasn't been seen out since capturing the two and a half mile Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot at York last year, merits the utmost respect. However, at half the price of Signatory and Finalmente, I'm not willing to back a horse with valid clouds of doubt hanging over him, and given his lengthy absence. He may have a pipe-opener over timber before the race, which will make his case a tad stronger, although I'm happy to oppose him either way. Like Leg Spinner, the current second favourite for this, Key Time, likes to hear his hooves rattle, therefore all concerned with the gelding will be hoping that the heavens don't open too much between now and the big day in the Suffolk area. Winner of the stamina-sapping Goodwood Stakes at the Glorious meeting on his penultimate start, the four-year-old was turned over when odds on for a comparatively minor event at Beverley two weeks hence. It is probably unwise to write him off on that basis, as he was giving lumps of weight away to the eventual winner, Som Tala, but he's another that looks too short to my mind - the top price of 12/1 makes no appeal whatsoever. The likes of Dorothy's Friend and Sunday Symphony will be going into this race on the back of desperate performances last time out, for which neither had any real excuses, while Whispering Death has a fair bit to find to find at this level. Hurdler Detroit City wouldn't be without claims, neither would Signatory's stablemate Ermine Sea and Peter Chapple-Hyam's River Alhaarth, but that duo are not certain runners so make for risky ante-post punts. Verdict - 0.50pts Signatory @ 20/1 (Blue Square) & 0.50pts Finalmente @ 20/1 (bet365)