Decent draw can finally give Philip Hobbs' star a fair reward

ODD as it may seem in a race run over two miles and two furlongs, the one significant pointer to consider when trying to find the winner of the Cesarewitch is the draw.

Ten of the last 11 winners of the £160,000 Newmarket contest have been drawn in stall 17 or higher, the exception being Caracciola's 50-1 victory last season who came from 11.

Favourite Darley Sun has a prime pitch from stall 25 and David Simcock's three-year-old has 3lb taken off his back by useful apprentice Andrea Atzeni.

The fact that he was just a neck behind top stayer Askar Tau in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup, with Geordieland behind, means he looks a handicap good thing off 8st 9lb.

Darley Sun must go on the shortlist along with Royal Rationale, Truckers Delight and FAIR ALONG (3.40).

The selection, a grand servant for jumps trainer Philip Hobbs, was third in this race two years ago - the runner-up in that returned to win it last year - and he deserves to land a big prize. He's been second in the Triumph Hurdle, second in an Arkle and second in a Chester Cup.