This Saturday sees the second leg of the historic Autumn double at Newmarket. Two weeks after Boiling Point stormed to victory in the Cambridgeshire, the runners and riders once again head to HQ for the Cesarewitch.
First run in 1839 and named in honour of Tsesarevich Alexander of Russia, the event is run over a stamina-sapping 2m2f of the Rowley Mile course. Offering £175,000 in prize money, the autumn highlight presents a valuable late-season target for the more talented staying handicappers in training.
The Cesarewitch meeting is a key date in the diary for the leading British flat yards and rarely fails to attract a significant Irish challenge. Among the Irish trainers with the Cesarewitch firmly in their sights is National Hunt king, Willie Mullins. Successful three times since 2018, the Closutton maestro is responsible for one of the favourites in 2025.
Buick, Bloom, and Bunting the Ones to Beat?
Landing the prize with Low Sun (2018), Stratum (2019), and Great White Shark (2020), Mullins almost made it four in a row when saddling Burning Victory to finish second in 2021. Like Stratum, Mullins’ main contender in 2025 carries the blue-and-white silks of Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom.
In common with most runners from the Mullins yard, Bunting began life as a National Hunt performer. His peak effort over obstacles saw him go down by just 2¼l in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle in 2024. While a maiden winner during his time in France, the five-year-old has yet to win on the flat since joining Mullins.
He showed little at Galway in August but took a big step forward last time out at Leopardstown, when doing all his best work late to finish fifth over 1m5f. Granted another six furlongs to play with here, he could be a big threat with William Buick in the saddle. Scheduled topweight Hipop De Loire and talented hurdler Winter Fog may add to the Mullins challenge.
Grande Goes for Back-to-Back Wins
In the 186-year history of the Cesarewitch, only Aaim To Prosper (2010, 2012) has won the race more than once. That stat suggests Alphonse Le Grande is up against it in his bid to repeat his 2024 success. However, punters appear to like his chances, with the Tony Martin runner is joint-favourite with several bookmakers.
The Sea The Stars gelding was certainly made to work for his win 12 months ago. Having mastered Manxman by a nose in a thrilling battle, he was then disqualified for whip misuse, only to be reinstated as the winner following an appeal. A six-pound higher mark makes life tougher this time around. However, he suggested he may be about to hit peak form when finishing fifth at York last time.
Byrnes, Elliott, and O’Brien also Represented
The Irish challenge is set to extend far beyond the defending champion and Willie Mullins contingent. Successful with Run For Oscar in 2022, Charles Byrnes sends Reverend Hubert in pursuit of the prize. Having turned the Cesarewitch Trial into an eight-length procession, he gets in under just a four-pound penalty here.
A ready win for Irish raider Reverend Hubert in the Turners Cesarewitch Trial Handicap for Charles Byrnes 👏 pic.twitter.com/au5jwhISmu
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) September 20, 2025
Gordon Elliott came close when saddling Pied Piper to finish second in 2023. This year, the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer bids to go one better with Galway Hurdle winner Ndaawi and Mordor, who finished a solid second at Goodwood on his most recent outing.
Surprisingly, neither Aidan nor Joseph O’Brien has ever won the Cesarewitch. The father-and-son trainers both seek to put that right in 2025. Having finished third in the Irish Cesarewitch and Prix du Cadran, Queenstown brings strong form for O’Brien senior. Joseph relies on recent recruit Small Fry and 2023 Queen Alexandra Stakes winner, Dawn Rising.
East India Dock Leads Home Challenge
Having won six of the past seven editions, the Irish have developed a stranglehold on the Cesarewitch. Given the strength of their challenge, it would be no surprise to see the raiders improve that record further in 2025. However, the home trainers won’t surrender this valuable prize without a fight.
In the week before the race, the betting market suggests that East India Dock is the most likely to keep the Cesarewitch trophy on home soil. Hailing from the local yard of James Owen, this dual-purpose talent won the Chester Cup in May and finished a solid second in a Listed event at this track in September.
The Ian Williams-trained Beylerbeyi caught the eye when third at Newbury last time and is another to note for the home team, as is Andrew Balding’s Belgravian, who has won three of four starts over two miles or further.
Will the Irish continue their recent dominance? Or can the British trainers strike back? We will know the answer by around 3:45 on Saturday afternoon.