A SUPERB afternoon of racing with 2yo Champions Day and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, but for the sake of the nap I am going up to York in the opening 10 furlong event at 2.05.

David Simcock has taken a while to work out HIGHBROW’s (nap) best trip, but following his recent run at Doncaster has concluded that a mile-and-a-quarter or thereabouts is spot on about him.

He finished just off Byron Flyer that day after travelling very strongly through the race and that winner has since gone in twice.

Set to race off the very same mark of 100 here, I know that Simcock thought that his charge was up to group standard earlier on in the season and if he is anywhere near right then this class two handicap should prove to be well within his capabilities and anything around 10/1 would be very fair. 

So on to Newmarket and the Cesarewitch Handicap as always looks a near impossible task for us punters.

The huge rise in prize money for the 3.40 means that this year’s event has plenty of strength in depth with Willie Mullins chasing the bucks from Ireland with no less than seven entries, including the favourite Stratum.

Aidan O’Brien sends over his St Leger third Southern France who could be well-weighted and to my eyes gets the fast ground he badly needs to show his best form.

But the value could be further down the betting lists in the form of HERE AND NOW. 

He has long looked a stayer of some potential and finally realised that thought when hacking up at York two outings back.

Down in trip and up to Listed level next time out at Chester he ran well in the circumstances from well off the pace and on this more conventional track and from a really good draw he could run a big race here.

Of the remainder of his rivals the likes of Low Sun, Cleonte and Kloud Nine may well turn out to be his biggest rivals.

There is a potentially vintage Dewhurst Stakes on the horizon at 3.00 when a small, but very select field of seven go to post.

The likely favourite is the unbeaten Too Darn Hot, but I think he is under priced and I am not so sure that he wants the fast ground at the home of racing.

A better value wager could come in the form of MOWHAWK at a massive 16/1. He stayed on very strongly to land the Royal Lodge Stakes over a furlong further three weeks ago here so we know that he acts on the undulations here.

You could easily note him as the winner a furlong out and I think he has been over looked by the bookmakers here and it is just a shame there are only the seven set to run otherwise he would have been a stonking each-way play this afternoon.

Elsewhere on the card have a second look at HAPPY POWER (nb) in the nursery handicap at 4.15, while I fancy a huge run from MARIE OF LYON (each-way) at a big price for Richard Fahey in the Boadicea Stakes due off at 4.50.

Finally, let’s go back to York for my remaining selections on what looks a very tough card. I have already had an each-way play on Ayr Gold Cup runner-up AL QAHWA in the big sprint handicap at 3.15. The more rain that falls then the better for David O’Meara’s charge who was desperately unlucky not to win that day after a slow start.

And in the finale, I give a major shout to MASTER CARPENTER in the 5.35. He finally returned to winning form at Goodwood last time out and will relish any of the forecast rain at the Yorkshire track.