Bajan Blue can shock Cesarewitch rivals

Owner Marwan Koukash has managed by hook or by crook — but within the laws of racing — to get one-time ante-post favourite Montaser into the race and he looks sure to go close if the rains stay away from Headquarters.

But with a small amount of give in the ground I think old Blue Bajan has a massive each-way chance.

Useful over shorter distance a few years back and a winner of the Swinton Handicap Hurdle in his time, the 10-year-old still retains plenty of enthusiasm and there was nothing wrong with his run behind Sir Graham Wade at Doncaster last time out.

Off a handicap mark of 97 he looks the value over the likes of Olympiad, Lyric Street, Bernie The Bolt and Countrywide Flame.

The Dewhurst Stakes should see Dawn Approach retain his unbeaten record at 2.55, while I fancy Moohaajim to turn over Reckless Abandon the Middle Park at 2.20.

Later on, Labrinto looks highly interesting in the 5.15 after his Sandown win when he travelled well through the race.

Prussian has done the form no harm since and, although the selection needs to improve again, that is very much on the cards. Of the rest, Grandeur and Mandaean are both feared.

The best wager at York could come in the form of Mashaari in the staying event at 4.55. The son of Monsun has looked willing enough over a mile and a half, if a little one-paced, but granted the dig in the ground and the extra distance he should come into his own here.

His run behind Shantaram is an obvious stand out, but his forte looks to be galloping all day long and I shall be very disappointed if he can’t put away the likes of French Hollow, River Dragon and top weight Asker.
The big betting race at The Knavesmire is the Coral Sprint Trophy at 3.45 in which some old timers are sure to have a major say.

With the ground likely to dry out to nearly good I think this is a great chance for the well weighted pair of Dubawi Sound and Bajan Tryst the make their presence felt again.

The former is just preferred as he comes here relatively fresh with Sirius Prospect the joker in the pack and he could be worth a saver.

In the 2.05, Captain Dunne, down to a mark of 95, maybe able to bounce back to form at the main expense of Ancient Cross who will surely be involved, while Fitz Flyer is also feared.