Key quotes and punting pointers as Mullins attempts to win Cesarewitch again

4.10 Newmarket

Emirates Cesarewitch Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 2m2f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

When you combine the training mastery of Willie Mullins and the craft of jockey Frankie Dettori, what should be a wide-open staying handicap could become a nightmare for bookmakers.

Mullins, who won the Cesarewitch last year, has turned to big-race superstar Dettori for the ride on Buildmeupbuttercup and should the potential dream team do the business it will be a right result for punters.

Buildmeupbuttercup was a best-priced 5-1 for the race on Friday, and Dettori has already claimed the first leg of Newmarket's autumn double when partnering Lord North to victory in the Cambridgeshire last month.

Winner of two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, the extreme trip on the Flat holds no fears for Buildmeupbuttercup, who has been running well on the Flat this summer with the highlight coming at Royal Ascot when second in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes.

Mullins said: "Buildmeupbuttercup was trying to give the winner [Kastasa] over a stone at Leopardstown last time and she almost did. That was a big run. The winner has gone on to win a Group race, so that does not look like bad form at all. I'm very happy with her."

Willie Mullins: has snapped up Frankie Dettori to ride favourite BuildmeupbuttercupCredit: Caroline Norris

The trainer has another two chances in the race with Great White Shark and Stratum and added: "Stratum and Great White Shark are in good shape too. Stamina is the name of the game in the Cesarewitch, as we found out last year with Low Sun, and we have a good strong, staying team going over there."

Fear the favourites?

Should Buildmeupbuttercup win it will be a relatively rare success for favourite backers, with only two of the last ten races falling to the market leader.

In the same span there have been two winners at 66-1 shots and one at 50-1, so it can pay to look beyond some of the more obvious contenders.

A weighty issue

As well as the weight of punter expectations, Buildmeupbuttercup must also carry 9st, which recent history dictates will not be easy.

Stablemate Low Sun coped with 9st 2lb last year, but there has been only one other winner who carried 9st or more successfully since 2009.

In this year's field, ten of the 31 declared runners have 9st or more.

Where does it pay to be drawn?

Considering the mammoth 2m2f trip, it would be easy to think there is no real draw benefit as the field has enough time to sort itself out.

But in the last four years all the winners have had a double-figure draw, as well as three of the four runner-ups. Three of the last ten winners have had a single-figure draw, the most recent of which was Big Easy in 2014.

What they say

Alan King, trainer of Who Dares Wins, Rainbow Dreamer and Coeur De Lion
Who Dares Wins has been a star for us under both codes, winning a Northumberland Plate this year, having already finished in the frame in three Chester Cups and an Ascot Stakes. Although he was well beaten when second-favourite in this race two years ago, he will get his favourite soft ground this time. The ground will also suit Rainbow Dreamer. Coeur de Lion has not run a bad race all season and done the Barbury Boys [owners] proud, while Rainbow Dreamer will be sharper than he was at Haydock.

Alan King: will be hoping he can land the winner from his three runnersCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Cypress Creek
It has taken us a bit of time to get him fit but he seems in good shape now and the ease in the ground will help him. This looked an ideal race for him.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Sneaky Getaway
Everything seems great with him but I'm not sure how well handicapped he is and I doubt we have too much up our sleeves. In saying that, it is very exciting to have a runner in a big race like this.

John Best, trainer of Eddystone Rock
We decided after he won at York this would be his next target, so he has been freshened up for it. I couldn't be happier with him and he seems in great form. Whether he'll stay this far on soft ground we'll see but we're hopeful.

Ian Williams, trainer of Time To Study and and Darksideoftarnside
Time To Study won well in France and then at Haydock, and finished one place behind the favourite in the Ascot Stakes, when he probably didn't quite get home. Cieren Fallon will take off 3lb as opposed to 5lb at Haydock, but the second [Alright Sunshine] franked the form when winning very well at Ayr. He'll like the conditions and is in good form, as is Darksideoftarnside.

Land Of Oz: 'he's creeping up the weights and I think he's still in good form'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of Timoshenko and Land Of Oz
Timoshenko has won his last six and he was only scheduled to run twice this year, so has been trained to run as well as possible. He won at Goodwood under a very good ride. I don't think rain would help him. Land Of Oz has had a very good year. He's creeping up the weights and I think he's still in good form. But in the back of my mind I just worry it might be one race too many.

Tony Martin, trainer of Mr Everest
John [Egan] won the November Handicap on Mr Everest at Naas last year and I think Newmarket will suit the horse. There is only one bend and he's a big horse who will potter away and enjoy himself. He had a good run over hurdles at Listowel the last day.

Harry Kelly, trainer of Great Trango
It's a hot handicap and you could probably make a case for all 31 of them. Jamie [Codd] looked after him in the big handicap at Galway and he came out later in the week there to win over hurdles. We had this race in mind for him for a while, it was either here or the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh, and once the rain came we said we would go for the one with the bigger pot. He is as good as we have ever had him.

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