What a crucial few days this is for England.
Horse racing
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How brilliant was Treve in Sunday's Arc? I'm always wary of the dangers of recency but that was one of the best performances I have seen in the race, helped obviously by having tipped her in last week's column!
For once we're on a nice roll after Educate's win in the Cambridgeshire and what easier race could you ask for in a bid for a hat-trick than the impossible jigsaw that is the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday. An average winning SP in the last 10 years of 22/1 hardly adds to the confidence.
Arc day is truly special and a trip to Paris should be on the wish list of any sports fan.
What a contrast it's going to be from the huge crowd, noise and fashion at Longchamp to the wide open spaces, cold and sparse of crowd of HQ. Having said that, the action on the track will be brilliant with six Group races, including the Middle Park, Dewhurst and Rockfel Stakes. However, it's the Cesarewitch that I want to conquer.
I'm going to take two against the field:
Oriental Fox and Brockwell.
Oriental Fox has been inconsistent this season but when he gets it right he's a really talented stayer. I thought he was impressive in the Cesarewitch Trial last month, which looked a strong contest, and remains open to plenty of improvement over this trip. With Mark Johnston preparing him and Johnny Murtagh in the saddle, Oriental Fox could not be in better hands for a race of this nature.
Third in that trial was Brockwell, who was heavily backed that day suggesting the Tom Dascombe team think a fair bit of him. Brockwell could have more improvement in him over this trip and is worth chancing
each-way at 20/1 with Sky Bet.
Looking ahead to Champions day next week, I was interested to read on
sportinglife.com this week Cirrus des Aigles trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said "I think, at the moment, he is better than ever. I think he is still getting better and will be at his top level at Ascot".
Winner of the race in 2011 and second behind Frankel 12 months ago, the Champion Stakes has been this horse's target all season, whilst for so many others it's an after thought, and Cirrus des Aigles looks to be peaking at the right time. Snap up the price!
