Four To Follow: Newmarket, York and Cesarewitch Preview
Welcome to this week’s Four To Follow with expert insights on Newmarket, York and the Cesarewitch. Please note: betting is for 18+ only and should always be approached responsibly.
Week Ahead: Key races, trends and trainer notes
This preview complements the race-by-race selections below with form context, trends and pragmatic betting ideas. It is informational and not a promise of returns.
Newmarket Fillies’ Mile: Shuwari form & prospects
Shuwari’s Rockfel performance suggested she will handle a mile and stay competitive at Group One level. Her pedigree and Sangster’s placement plans give her the profile of a future pattern performer rather than a one-off sprinter.
When evaluating Shuwari, consider draw impact, likely pace setup and how she handled that Rockfel start. Favourites have a recent strong record in the Fillies’ Mile, so backing should reflect both form and price value.
How ground conditions could shape Newmarket outcomes
Newmarket can vary from good to soft in autumn and that will change how the key runners perform over a mile. Softer ground usually favours well-bred, staying-looking juveniles, while firmer going can bring speedier types into play.
Dewhurst Stakes: City Of Troy’s chances and form
City Of Troy’s July course demolition was eye-catching and suggests top-class potential at two. Freshness, pedigree and how he handled that home gallop are central to judging whether odds-on support is sensible.
Market context matters: odds-on favourites have a strong record, so any move against City Of Troy will be a sign to reassess his stamina at the trip, draw and likely tactics on the day.
Trainer and jockey influence on juvenile big races
Juvenile Group Ones often turn on placement rather than experience; trainers who target these races with proven prep runs can hold an advantage. Jockey bookings can also indicate confidence and a stable’s primary mount.
Cesarewitch guide: Trainers, trends and picks to note
The Cesarewitch is a big-field, testing handicap that rewards stamina, ride experience and a touch of luck in-running. Recent trends show jumps trainers can be influential, and staying pedigrees often outrun flat-only form lines.
When considering long-distance handicaps, weigh up recent form on similar trips, mark consistency and trainer targeting rather than headline market movers alone.
Value angles: each-way ideas and alternative selections
In large handicaps the each-way market can offer better value than backing a single favourite — especially when multiple unexposed or improving types are present. Look for horses with upward-trending form and realistic weight scenarios.
York Sprint Trophy preview: Wobwobwob and rivals assessed
Wobwobwob arrives here following a Silver Cup victory and appears primed for a peak run. The form line and recent consistency make him a credible contender in a competitive sprint handicap.
Monitor Ryan’s quartet closely; Kevin Ryan deploying multiple highly-weighted chances indicates a well-prepared stable raid and offers each-way depth for bettors wanting to spread risk.
Assessing pace, draw and race shape in sprints
Sprint handicaps at York are frequently decided by early position and the distribution of speed. Horses that can cover the leading tempo without burning out on the hill are favoured.
Practical betting approach and risk management advice
Use a staking plan and never bet more than you can afford to lose; these tips are to inform choices rather than push wagering. Backing multiple scenarios — small win bets combined with sensible each-way selections — can manage downside in big fields.
Check conditions, non-runner declarations and late jockey switches before placing a bet. Odds can move; take a clear view on value rather than chasing favours.
Using bookmaker comparisons and offers responsibly
Comparing odds and understanding sign-up offers is useful, but promotions should not determine stake sizes or replace sound judgement. If you choose to use affiliate links, do so for research and better transparency rather than as an incentive to stake more.
Whilst the entire racing public will focus in on the jumps action at Chepstow, I’m still infatuated with the flat. Some of the top jumps trainers will head to the Rowley Mile this week to contest the Cesarewitch on Saturday, but there’s also top 2-Y-O action along in the Future Champions Festival. We also get to see some old friends sprinting up at York in their final meeting of the season. Here’s this week’s Four To Follow.
Newmarket
A Shuwed bet
Friday 4:10 – Fillies’ Mile (Group One) – Shuwari @ 2/1 (William Hill)
With a name like Sangster, a lot is expected of you. And it’s not often a first-year trainer gets a special one straight away. But Shuwari just looks like that. Bred by French Derby winner New Bay, and from a staying family, Shuwari may be one to challenge for the classics. Her run in the Rockfel came with plenty of positives. She stayed on past the line and could have been bang up there with Carla’s Way had she not dwelt the start. Stepping up to a mile won’t be a problem & she’s clearly the one to beat. Favoruites have a strong record in the race, with the last four winners all top of the shop.
Definitely not wooden
Saturday 2:00 – Dewhurst Stakes (Group One) – City Of Troy @ 1/2 (William Hill)
Sometimes form goes out the window and you go on with what you have seen. And City of Troy was probably the most impressive juvenile winner of the season. He blew the field away on the July course by six-and-a-half lengths and has been kept incredibly fresh for this contest. With plenty of black-type in his pedigree, he can certainly justify odds-on. Only one odds-on shot has been overturned in the last 17 runnings.
Meade for this
Saturday 2:40 – Cesarewitch (Heritage H’cap) – Jesse Evans @ 12/1 (Betfred)
The Cesarewtich is a notoriously tough handicap, but if there’s on trend to follow; back jump trainers. Only three have breached the dominance from the flat world in the last ten years. And whilst everyone is looking to Pied Piper, it’s worth noting that the former flat horse didn’t have much success at this level. Jesse Evans represents better value and has had a fantastic season this Summer. Two wins on the flat, narrowly beaten in the Galway Hurdle and almost landed the Irish version in a tight finish. There’s no doubt he will be up there again.
Another Meade runner makes appeal further down the market. Sheishybrid finished second in the Cesarewitch Trial two weeks ago and remains on the same mark. She has been on the upgrade in her past few runs, and with three pounds taken off there may be a slight advantage over rival Grand Providence. A wide draw may be a negative, but it shouldn’t make too much difference over two miles and two furlongs. Worth a go at 20/1 (General).
And it wouldn’t be a Cesarewitch without a Willie Mullins runner. And one at a price is Zenon. She returned off a break of nearly three years to dust the cobwebs off at Bellewstown. Zenon looks to have a preference for softer ground, so conditions may not be ideal. But with 33 rivals around, there’s chance to get a piece of luck somewhere. It’s a big call up for Saffie Osborne, but she’s had a stellar season and can top it off with a big win. 28/1 (William Hill).
York
No Wobbling about
Saturday 2:25 – Sprint Trophy (Heritage H’cap) – Wobwobwob @ 10/1 (Betfred)
Wobwobwob enjoyed success last time out at Ayr winning the Silver Cup. But I feel that the race was a stepping stone to bigger things. And this looks like the target. His past three runs have all been brilliant, from second on heavy Goodwood ground to two pleasing runs in this company. Adrian Paul Keatley will be following a very positive trend of Northern trained winners of the race. Wobwobwob looks primed and ready.
In behind, Kevin Ryan saddles four runners. This shows how seriously he takes this race, and I think a couple will be at their best today. Firstly, Bielsa who has had a spread out campaign. But he started the season off with a win over C&D and is only three pounds higher in the weights. It’s also the mark he won off in his Ayr Gold Cup victory in 2021. He looks more than an each-way shout at 14/1 (Betfred).
The second Kevin Ryan runner I’m suited by is Magical Spirit. Stable jockey Tom Eaves gets the leg up yet finds himself down in the market. He finished third behind Bielsa after a winning start at Doncaster. Now he’s a pound lower than that winning mark and can display a similar performance to that in May. Take a chance at 33/1 (Betfred).
The very best of luck!
Frequently asked questions about these race tips and betting
Am I allowed to bet on these races if I am under 18?
No. You must be 18 or over to place bets in the UK. If you are under 18 please do not attempt to gamble.
How should I size stakes when considering these selections?
Use a sensible staking plan and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Treat tips as information rather than guaranteed returns.
Where can I check bookmaker odds and compare offers safely?
Use reputable comparison tools to view current odds and offers before wagering. Compare responsibly and don’t let promotions drive stake sizes.
Do trainer or jockey changes alter the value of a selection?
Yes. Late trainer or jockey changes can materially affect a horse’s chance and market value, so review declarations closely before betting.
What should I consider when backing long‑distance handicaps like the Cesarewitch?
Focus on stamina, weight carried, recent form up the trip and trainer trends. Big fields can be lottery-like, so manage stakes carefully.
Can I rely on these selections as a guaranteed way to make money?
No. These selections are informed opinions and not guarantees. Betting carries risk and you should not expect consistent profits.
How can I stay in control while following tips and offers?
Set deposit limits, use self-exclusion tools if needed and take regular breaks from betting. Seek help if gambling becomes problematic.
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