Timeform Daily: Cesarewitch Handicap, Saturday, Newmarket 15:35

The Cesarewitch takes place at Newmarket tomorrow

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to the ultra-competitive Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday...

Aaim To Prosper is a smart performer and was the winner of this race in 2010. Runner-up in listed race at Sandown in July, but not at best since, lacklustre effort when sixth of 13 to Caucus here (2m) last month.

Motivado confirmed himself a smart handicapper with his win at Goodwood (1m) in August. Would have benefited from stronger gallop when fourth in Ebor last time and this trip could well suit him.

Address Unknown was suited by emphasis on speed when winning over 2m at Ascot in August, with several of today's rivals behind. Flopped at Haydock last time, though. NON RUNNER

Hurricane Higgins has not always been the most resolute, but on good terms with himself at present, producing career-best effort when third in Doncaster Cup last time. Well treated on that form and one to shortlist.

Tominator won the 2011 Northumberland Plate and back to that form last 2 starts, winning Chester handicap before close fourth in Mallard at Doncaster (final start for Reg Hollinshead). One to consider.

Icon Dream found the frame in Group races twice in 2010. Left David Simcock for ¤20,000 before running well when third in Northumberland Plate on return, but hasn't backed that up twice since and seems ungenuine

Martyr won 3 handicaps for Richard Hannon in 2010 and, having been off 2 years, showed he retains his ability for new yard when strong-travelling fourth in listed race here recently. Respected.

Blue Bajan won Henry II Stakes in 2011, but winless since, though been given chance by the handicapper and shaped well behind Sir Graham Wade in Old Borough Cup and Mallard Stakes recently

Olympiad is a lightly-raced sort who had been off 4 months prior to beating Very Good Day and a few more of these in 2m handicap at York in August. Further improvememnt likely, though done no favours by draw.

Lyric Street was a useful handicapper for Luca Cumani and ran best race for current yard when third to Mount Athos at York (1m) in July. Not disgraced twice since, but this trip an unknown. Blinkered first time.

Astral Thunder was a useful performer in Argentina, but limited impact in handicaps in Britain, well held at Haydock (1m) last time and difficult to assess at present.

I Have A Dream has a Melbourne Cup entry and has won 3 of his 4 starts this term, 1m handicaps at Leopardstown on the last 2 occasions. Unproven at the trip and has worst of draw, too, so passed over.

Very Good Day was a comfortable winner of a 2m York handicap in July and turned in a career best when finding only Olympiad too good over that same C&D last time, nearest at the finish. Capable of going well again.

Ermyn Lodge was at his best when narrowly beaten in this race 12 months ago and possibly in need of run both starts this year, though hasn't won for over 2 years now and current handicap mark looks stiff.

Western Prize won for the third time at Salisbury at start of July. Bounced back from poor run when close sixth in Mallard at Doncaster last time and as a lightly-raced sort may have bit more to come.

Montaff produced a couple of cracking seconds in Henry II Stakes and Northumberland Plate last year. Not so good nowadays and handicapped accordingly, but often quite reluctant and likely to remain vulnerable.

Right Stuff is a dual-purpose performer. Looked better than ever on AW last winter, winning 2m Kempton handicap, but last 2 Flat efforts on turf when failing to beat a rival suggest he seems best on polytrack now.

Lordofthehouse won 3 handicaps in 2011 and improved again to land 2m Haydock contest decisively in June. Highlighted quirks since, though, reluctant to post before refusing to race in listed event here last month.

Nafaath was useful at up to 1m in Ireland in his youth and showed he retained ability for new yard when third in Ascot Stakes in June, but easy to dismiss after lesser efforts since, including over hurdles.

Stormy Weather won twice over hurdles for this yard at start of year, and back on up in this headgear combination on Flat last twice, winning at Thirsk (1m) last time. Stamina to prove but still on fair mark.

Countrywide Flame won 3 times on the Flat in 2011 before making up into smart performer over timber, landing Triumph Hurdle. Made all at Chester (2m) on return to Flat and looks well treated under 4 lb penalty.

Sentry Duty was a one-time smart hurdler but isn't the force of old in that sphere and has failed to find frame on Flat for over 2 years, though now off much lower mark than when sixth in this race in 2010 and 2011.

Bernie The Bolt was a big improver once tackling 2m+ in 2010, winning 3 times. Lightly raced since and back to form when fifth of 18 to Domination over C&D last month, appealing as type suited by this sort of test.

Ashbrittle made an encouraging return for Ralph Beckett in 2011, but failed to go on from that (ninth in this event 12 months ago). Creditable effort over hurdles last month, but more required back on level.

Beyond was two from 3 for Jeremy Noseda in 2010, and won at Sandown (1m) last summer. Not disgraced when seventh in this race subsequently and fourth behind Hurricane Higgins at Goodwood on return this term.

Alhellal is an Irish bumper/hurdles winner who has quickly developed into a near-useful performer since making his Flat debut in April, winning 3 of his 5 starts. Unexposed.

Cosmo De Medici improved to win 3 staying handicaps in 2011, including over C&D, but has failed to build on that this year, for all that he wasn't disgraced on his recent return from 3 months off.

Cry For The Moon was fit from the jumps (winner in May) when good second of 19 in valuable 2m amateur riders handicap at Galway. Not ideally placed when well held at Leopardstown since, but dangerous to dismiss here.

Albert Bridge resumed his progress when beating Lady Kashaan (winner since) in 13f handicap at Ayr last time and clearly suited by a soft surface, so a threat to all if ground conditions deteriorate.

Kepler's Law won 4 handicaps on bounce at up to 1m last year. Excuses when only fifth on final start and stamina-laden pedigree gives hope that he'll last this far on return. Fitness unlikely to be an issue.

Martial Law was a winner in France and Australia in the past and has been successful over hurdles for current stable. Respected having run well on return to Flat when placed at Ascot and Chester (behind Countrywide Flame).

Decoy is a pretty useful hurdler for current connections, both wins over timber coming when making all. Questionable whether he's up to repeating those tactics in a race this competitive, though.

Dark Ranger rarely runs a bad race these days, runner-up in Cesarewitch Trial last year and fourth in same race this time around. Difficult to see him faring any better here, though.

O Ma Lad won a 1m handicap at Catterick in May and career-best effort to land 1m AW event last month. Not beaten far in Mallard previously but this a different test altogether.

Montaser has done very little wrong in his 7-race career, bettering wins in handicaps at Haydock and Ascot when only headed late on at Yarmouth (1m) last time. Should relish this trip and more to come.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Montaser
2. Countrywide Flame
3. Bernie The Bolt

Timeform View: Montaser has sneaked into the race and as a progressive, lightly-weighted 3-y-o looks to have plenty in his favour. Triumph Hurdle winner Countrywide Flame's chance is there for all to see, while Bernie The Bolt could fare best of those at bigger odds.

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