Can Warmonger boost his Cesarewitch claims? Analysis and quotes for Kempton staying handicap

Sir Mark Prescott: trains highly progressive stayer WarmongerCredit: Edward Whitaker

This is a race which might develop into a duel between the only three-year-olds in the line-up, Warmonger and Clockwatcher.

The Sir Mark Prescott-trained Warmonger is thriving and delivered a career-best performance off a career-high mark when runner-up to Manxman at Southwell last time out.

That winner looks a live contender for the Newmarket Club Godolphin Cesarewitch next month, and Warmonger made him work hard for a length-and-a-quarter victory.

Warmonger, who is also entered in the Cesarewitch for which he is a top price of 25-1, finished four and a quarter lengths clear of the third, Wahraan, so a 3lb rise could not have been unexpected.

The son of Camelot is a course-and-distance winner who should continue on an upward curve and looks likely to prove a warm market order.

Clockwatcher didn't relinquish his maiden certificate until his seventh start, which coincided with him tackling a proper stayers' trip of 2m½f for the first time at Newcastle.

A 3lb rise for that length-and-a-quarter success over Weddell Sea looks fair, but Kempton is an entirely different track and his lack of tactical speed might be exposed by Warmonger.

Clockwatcher had appeared short of pace over 1m4f at Newmarket on his previous start.

Teorie, who landed hurdle races for Fergal O'Brien at Catterick and Southwell last winter, remains unexposed at this sort of trip on the Flat. He won over 1m2f at Leopardstown in July 2023, and there is a possibility this four-year-old is fairly treated off 80.
Analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Howth
I've been pleased with him at home and he seems in good form. I think he should run a good race as he's better on the all-weather and we hope he'll bounce back with this drop in class. He should be going there with a good chance.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Robusto
We're hoping he goes well because he won there last time over the same trip. We put blinkers on him for the last two starts and he was a bit disappointing and a bit free. We've put him back in cheekpieces and Neil Callan is in great form, so I think he'll go well.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Jaramillo
He's quirky and needs to get his own way. This is our first time trying him over two miles, which I think could suit him, but a lot depends on how he gets out of bed in the morning. It's quite hard to judge what frame of mind he can be in, but he has got ability. He's coming down to a mark he's well able to compete off and he's got plenty of talent.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

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