3 minute read

Best hoping to hit jackpot in Cesarewitch at first attempt

John Best is looking to strike in the Emirates Cesarewitch with his first runner in the race when Eddystone Rock  lines up at Newmarket on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has bounced right back to his best this summer, and wins in his last two outings at Ascot and York are right up there with some of his career-best performances.

Rated as high as 102 at his peak, he is back up to 99 now and Best believes a combination of factors are the reason.

"We had a bit of a virus last year and he dropped a few pounds to a mark where he was capable of winning and stepping up in trip has helped," he said.

"He'd been busy, but we said straight after York that we'd wait for this – he's had a bit of a breather before we kick on again.

"He goes on any ground, but the one thing I don't know is whether he'll stay two-miles-two on heavy ground – that will be the same for most of them. He certainly handles it soft, but the forecast is mainly dry anyway and Newmarket does dry quickly.

"He stayed two miles very well at York, he's coming into it in great form, so we've got as good a chance as any."

He added: "Sir Mark Prescott has had an awful lot of runners in this without winning, so it would be very nice if we could win this at the first attempt!"