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ALONG WAY TO GO IN CES TEST

ABOVE: Fair Along

17th October 2009

By Mark Winstanley

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THE best bet on a busy Saturday is to smash into Chelsea to trounce the Villa before the gee-gees get under way at Newmarket.

When looking at the Tote Cesarewitch Handicap run over two and a quarter miles, the most signifi cant factor is the draw.

“Have you finally lost the plot, fat boy?” is the cry from the cheap seats. But in the last decade, nine winners have raced from traps 17 and higher, while the other victor burst forth from stall 11.

With that statistic how could you possible want to back anything housed in single figures?

That narrows the 36-runner fi eld down a bit and I’m sweet on the chances of FAIR ALONG (3.40), who has plucked stall 29 out of the magic hat.

This seven-year-old is more known for his exploits over jumps where has is not far off the top boys over three miles.

Philip Hobbs’ game creature was third in this race two years ago – the fi rst three home were drawn 24, 28 and 26 – when rated 88, so has to improve a bit to go two places better off a new perch of 94.

But Fair Along did show improved form over hurdles last winter and it’s significant Kieren Fallon has chosen to ride him. Hobbsy captured this prestigious prize with Detroit City in 2006 and you can bet your bottom dollar the West Country wizard will have Fair Along cherry ripe for this occasion.

Look for the bookmakers going 1-2-3-4-5 a quarter the odds a place- and get stuck into my selection each-way at 16-1.

The monopolies commission will have to take a butcher’s at Jim Bolger if he lands the Group One Dewhurst Stakes with Chabal. The Irish handler has won the race in the last three years with Intense Focus, New Approach and Teofilio, but Chabal was beaten last time out at The Curragh and looks a very skinny price.

Clive Cox’s XTENSION (2.25) did a sparkling piece of work at Kempton last Wednesday week and looks a corking each-way wager around the 7-1 mark.

The son of Xaar showed a smart turn of foot to capture the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in late July, and he has been laid out for this ever since.

The French have a great record in the Group 1 Champion Stakes run over a mile and a quarter, so look no further than NEVER ON SUNDAY (3.00). Jean Claude-Rouget has aimed his four-year-old at this nice prize since his cheval was a close-up third at Royal Ascot in June.

The grey had a spin up over a mile at Deauville in August, but that trip was always going to be on the sharp side.

In you are in the smelly stuff by the time the Group 3 Jockey Club Cup is run over two miles, bail out on OASIS KNIGHT (5.25).

Marcus Tregoning’s stayer was unlucky at Ascot last time.