2026 Cesarewitch betting odds, runners & preview

William Dobbie Published: 12 hours ago

A competitive field of 29 will jump for Saturday's Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

The most prestigious staying handicap ran in Britain, more than £90,000 will go to the winner of the 2m2f contest that was first ran all the way back in 1839.

Vintage Crop, Landing Light and Detroit City have won this in the past and it can often go to a dual purpose horse, with the specialist trip suiting the more stoutly-bred national hunt types. Willie Mullins won this three years on the bounce in the late 2010s and saddles one runner this weekend.

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Highwind (28/1) has actually run in two Grade 1s over obstacles but has pursued a career on the level in more recent starts. With nine runs under his belt on the Flat he is fairly exposed, however, he was quite unfortunate not to get a touch closer to Melbourne Cup antepost favourite Defiantly over 2m4f at Goodwood back in July.

The current favourite is Beylerbeyi (4/1), aiming to defend his crown for Ian Williams. He returns off a 12lb higher mark than 12 months ago, but is again partnered by champion jockey-elect Billy Loughnane, who produced a staggering ride to lift him to glory last year.

Joseph O'Brien's Dawn Rising (11/2) has seen plenty of money in the build-up to the race and is emerging as the main danger to the jolly. Owner JP McManus landed this race with The Shunter in 2023 and it looks as if there has been a similar plot afoot with this nine-year-old. He was narrowly defeated in the race last year and it looks as if his whole campaign has been geared around going one better, spending most of the summer running around inadequate mid-range trips.

Trainer Brian Ellison wouldn't be one to shy away when he thinks one of his has a chance and he told the Racing Post in the week that he thinks his 5/1 chance Sea Lantern "will win" Saturday's feature handicap. Experience would be his main issue with just four runs to his name at present, however, he is on a steep upwards trajectory after landing a Pontefract handicap off a mark in the mid 80s last time out.

Emmet Mullins would always be a trainer on the radar for a prize like this and his duo, Cock And Bull (10/1) and Dream On Baby (14/1) wouldn't be without a chance. The latter drops into handicap company for the very first time on the level and it's hard to know where her ceiling is after winning a Tramore maiden by 12 lengths on her latest visit to the track. Rated 132 over hurdles, the trip will be absolutely no issue for this daughter of Walk In The Park.