The £200,000 Cesarewitch is the betting highlight on what is otherwise a major day for the juveniles.

Just 40 minutes after the champion two-year-old is crowed, 34 runners will take on this marathon, which is the same number of runners as the Grand National as of next year.

Well over half of this field is trained either by jumps trainers, or dual-purpose handlers. The 2¼-mile trip will now be taken in soft conditions after Thursday’s downpour meaning this really will be a true staying test.

The runners will go around a mile down the Cesarewitch Course before taking the right-hander onto the Rowley Mile. The draw isn’t too important here but form, ability and especially potential are given that many of these will have been trained specifically for the event.

With all of that in mind, these are our top six:

Main Contenders

Goshen

The enigma that is Goshen has another big task handed to him on Saturday, this time on the Flat. We’ve seen him feature in many a big TV race, sometimes unluckily, sometimes poorly and sometimes breathtakingly.

He’s three from nine on the turf, last being seen over a staying distance in May 2022. It’s hard to say that even over hurdles he has shown improvement since then, but he has won a Grade 2 as well as finished second in the Long Walk (Grade 1) and in April’s Select Hurdle.

He’s in this race off a mark of 88 and that looks a little too low if he can put it all together.

Jesse Evans

Noel Meade’s runner is bred for the Flat, possibly even on better ground, but he has plenty of experience in all sorts of conditions including running a one-length fourth in the Irish version of this race recently.

That form alone entitles him to be on this list. Before that, all this year, he won a staying race at Leopardstown, finished second in the Galway Hurdle and won a Premier Handicap at Killarney.

He is up 5lbs from last time, but he has all the attributes needed to run well here and he’ll be well fancied under Oisin Orr.

Pied Piper

All the money has been going the way of this horse. Pied Piper is favourite, is trained by Gordon Elliott, ridden by Ryan Moore and is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles.

Back in 2021 he was a winner on heavy ground on the Flat, but his best performance was on quick ground at Royal Ascot which might just temper enthusiasm somewhat.

He has a leading chance, but at the quoted prices one could argue there are enough negatives too.

Sheishybrid

Noel Meade’s second shortlisted horse is Sheishybrid, second in the Cesarewitch Trial here a few weeks ago.

Meade has clearly gone for the tried and tested route with these two horses and in fact this one’s running style is interesting.

While Jesse Evans had no more to give in the Irish Cesarewitch, Sheishybrid was running on when beaten only a length on good ground over this course and distance so this test may be right up her street. 

Temporize 

Syd Hosie trains Temporize and this Flat specialist has a great chance.

His form has been excellent since leaving Charlie & Mark Johnston in January. He was placed at Newmarket before being narrowly beaten by the same horse that beat Sheishybrid last time.

After finishing second at Ascot, he took town Robert Johnson and co. at Goodwood 71 days ago and he may well have improved some since.

The Shunter

Many will remember The Shunter’s Cheltenham Festival win in 2021 and he does seem to love it there.

He has to transfer his skills now for this race and he does have a Flat win on his CV. That came on his last such appearance back in May 2022 so we are left guessing somewhat as to where he’s at in this sphere now.

Summary

Naturally, Pied Piper has a very strong chance and indeed he shows up well on our ratings too. The money coming in for him and Jesse Evans going into the weekend was no shock and both can go well.

In looking for a little value however, it may pay to side each-way with GOSHEN. A supreme talent on his day, he may just find that this test is right up his street and we’re certain he’s handicapped well enough to put up a bold display for trainer Gary Moore and rider Rhys Clutterbuck.