BIG GUST
Mullins debutant to bag Cesarewitch
BY RYAN MCELLIGOTT GUSTAVUS VASSA can land another major Flat prize for Willie Mullins in the Irish Cesarewitch at Navan this afternoon.
This lightly raced three-year-old is making his debut for the trainer and his stamina at this trip has to be taken on trust.
In three races he has yet to go beyond 10 furlongs, but it is fascinating that his new connections are trying him at this distance.
Earlier this season, Gustavus Vassa quickly made up into a useful sort for Andy Oliver.
His efforts for that trainer were encouraging and he left the impression that he could do better still so he is worth taking a chance on.
Abyssinian is another unexposed three-year-old who commands respect, while Sea The Lion is one of the bigger priced runners that warrants consideration.
It could be an excellent day for jockey Chris Hayes, who rides the selection in the Cesarewitch.
He also has good prospects of landing the Listed Waterford Testimonial Stakes on Son Of Rest.
This three-year-old has made up into a quality sprinter this season and he could yet have more to offer. Last time out Fozzy Stack’s charge ran a superb race in the Flying Five Stakes when finishing third to Caravaggio.
Hayes could also bag the five-furlong handicap on Enter The Red, who has been running well throughout the season.
This experienced gelding enjoys ease in the ground so the conditions will be in his favour.
Colin Keane could extend his lead over Pat Smullen in the fascinating battle for the jockeys’ championship.
Keane could end the day with a double and he can strike first on Gobi Desert in the Legacy Stakes.
This colt impressed when making a winning debut at the Curragh in August, but he did meet with defeat in the Blenheim Stakes last time.
Gobi Desert looked to struggle on the heavy ground in the Blenheim and he is tipped in the hope that he will do much better on this ground.
He can reverse that recent form with Brick By Brick, while Brother Bear is another to keep in mind here.
Free To Roam could also strike for Keane in the first sprint handicap, while Soffia’s debut fourth at Naas last month would indicate that she could be good enough to land the opener.