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THERE are group races galore at Newmarket this afternoon, but the big betting event for us punters is the Cesarewitch Handicap (3.40) over an extended two-and-a-quarter miles.

Sadly, though, this doesn’t appear to be the race it once was with only a maximum of 25 runners set to go to post, when the marathon normally houses 34. What makes the situation even worse is that 13 of the runners are raiders from Ireland, which puts the state of horse racing in Britain in stark reality.

The raiders have the first three in the betting lists with the Willie Mullins-trained Sea of Sands at the top of the market at around 4/1. The maestro jumps handler landed this famous autumn event three times from 2018 through 2020 with cousin Emmet scoring a gamble with the then 10-year-old The Shunter last year.

The last named returns here off a 5lbs higher mark and has only raced once since then with the ground conditions being against him, but you fancy that there are much better-handicapped runners further down the list here, including the favourite who ran away with his maiden hurdle at Listowel last time out and was a regular runner at Listed and Group level in Germany before coming over the Ireland.

Still, the market has very much found him and although he looks a massive player, I would much prefer to have an each-way play in the form of the rejuvenated SPIRIT MIXER.

Andrew Balding’s charge went winless from May 2022 (won off a mark of 85) through till the last day of August this year when he finally scored again defying a rating of 84. He quickly followed up off 88 last month and is set to line up here with 3lbs extra on his back and will be partnered by Oisin Murphy. Freely available at 25/1 and with extra places available with most bookmakers, the son of the great Frankel looks the bet for me.

Of his rivals, Sir Mark Prescott’s Trooper Bisdee may outrun his price in the region of 33/1 and of the shorter-priced players I think that I have most respect for Dawn Rising. A never nearer six length fifth of 30 in the Irish version and will race at Newmarket off a 2lbs higher mark of 104, and will be partnered by the outstanding Tom Marquand.

So, on to the group races at Headquarters and top of the shop is the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at 3.00 and the match-up of Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter and the impressive Middle Park Stakes hero Shadow of Light.

I prefer the former who readily dismissed subsequent Royal Lodge Stakes winner, Wimbledon Hawkeye, readily in the Acomb Stakes at York. His devouring stride should be suited to the wide-open spaces at Newmarket. The further he went the further Shadow of Light pulled clear from Whistlejacket last month. But of Aidan will have a good line between him and his representative here and I think he can take another big step forward.

There are just six runners set to go to post for the one-mile Autumn Stakes at 2.25. GENEALOGY may well be the second string for Aidan O’Brien, but I think he looks a fair play here at much bigger odds. I was hugely impressed by the way he quickened and then stayed on very strongly to win his maiden event at Punchestown under Ryan Moore.

The form has not really been cemented by those behind him, but I think there is any amount of improvement to come from the son of Wootton Bassett and he can see off stable mate Delacroix and Charlie Appleby’s Silver Peak.

The biggest stamina test for the youngsters comes in the Group Three Zetland Stakes at 1.50 over a mile-and-a quarter and this contest looks highly suitable for the Ralph Beckett-trained STARZINTHEIREYES.

Following a fair second to the smart Field of Gold on his debut at Newmarket, he seemed to relish the step up to a stiffer stamina test at Leicester when landing his novice. With plenty on the dam’s side this extra three furlongs looks hugely made to measure.

Elsewhere on the card, SKELLET could be the each-way value in the opening Group Three Darley Stakes over nine furlongs, while the experienced SIEGEN may prove the each-way call in the seven furlong nursery due off at 4.15.

There is also a cracking flat card at York this afternoon and the Sprint Trophy Handicap (2.40) looks a typically tough sprint at the track. Several of these runners look well weighted on their best form and on the prevailing soft ground and I think that we will get a big run for our money with ALEEZDANCER.

A winner over the course and distance off 91 earlier in the year, connections have been waiting for the return of the mud and with Louise Akehurst taking 7lbs off his back here, the selection gets to run off a 3lbs lower mark. The other entry to think about having a saver on could well be Orazio, who found the quick ground in the Ayr Gold Cup hugely against him.

Sisyphean should be involved in the finish in the big mile-and-a-quarter handicap at 2.05, but he may just find the stronger staying MAGHLAAK too hot to handle. He has twice won on soft ground in his career to date and his run at Chester last time out was simply too bad to be true. I think he is worth another chance off a competitive rating of 88.

Chepstow signals the start of the jump season this afternoon and the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (3.20) over two-and-a-half miles. With Olly Murphy’s team on fire at the moment, his Act of Authority should be a player here, but I am going to hang my hat on JIPCOT. Jonjo’s charge ended last season with a really good third behind Go Dante in the Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park and extra distance on better ground should suit him.