Six of the best for Mullins as he bids for fourth consecutive Cesarewitch

3.35 Newmarket
Together For Racing International Cesarewitch Handicap 2m2f 3yo+ ITV/RTV

Trainers who are best known for their exploits with jumpers have an outstanding record in this historic Flat marathon.

Nicky Henderson, Philip Hobbs and Alan King have all won it during the last 20 years, while Willie Mullins bids for an incredible fourth consecutive success after the triumphs of Low Sun (2018), Stratum (2019) and Great White Shark (2020).

Mullins is six-handed this time, with M C Muldoon seemingly his premier contender after his short head second to Reshoun in the Ascot Stakes.

He races off a 4lb higher mark, but this 132-rated hurdler still looks fairly treated under Ryan Moore.

It's possible to argue that Henderson's Buzz is the best handicapped horse in the race on a mark of 96.

That's 59lb below his equivalent jumps mark, and he looks the type who could thrive for this stern test of stamina.

The 2m2f trip looks tailor-made for the Richard Hughes-trained Calling The Wind, who appeared to find 2m5f on soft ground a bit too far in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

He was impressive in the Goodwood Handicap when beating Cesarewitch rivals Withhold and Elysian Flame into second and third, and this five-year-old looks capable of further progress.

Paul Nicholls may be focusing his attention on Chepstow, but he'll be fully aware that Scaramanga is no forlorn hope of giving him a first success in this £250,000 feature.

The son of Mastercraftsman showed a nice blend of speed and stamina to beat the well-handicapped Rodrigo Diaz over two miles at Newbury in July.

Withhold, winner of this race in 2017, has form figures of 112 in races over 2m+ on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile – he also won his only start on the July Course – and is of interest under James Doyle.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Micro Manage, Whiskey Sour, M C Muldoon, Burning Victory, Great White Shark and Foveros

MC Muldoon is in good shape, and I think that the trip and track will suit him. His last run over hurdles at Galway was a nice prep for this. He ran a great race at Royal Ascot and is getting stronger all the time. I think a bit of rain would help Burning Victory, but as long as it's safe ground it will be fine. On ratings there is not much between her and M C Muldoon. Both horses are improving and it depends how much each has improved as to which would come out on top. It is going to be tough for Great White Shark, who is up against it off her new rating and not having run since Cheltenham. The trip and ground won't be a problem for Whiskey Sour, so I hope he can run his usual good race. Foveros ran a great race at Galway. That puts him well-in with a chance off 8st 3lb. I'm hoping Micro Manage still has plenty of improvement in him as he does some tremendous work at home.

David O'Meara, trainer of Makawee

She should stay the trip well – she's a half-sister to Prince Of Arran – and the family do. She's had a wonderful career and this will be her last run before retiring to stud.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Buzz

He's in good form but I wouldn't want it to dry up too much. He had some good form on the Flat and he proved at the backend of last season [over hurdles] that he does stay well.

Michael Bell, trainer of Prince Alex and Platform Nineteen

Prince Alex is an exciting stayer. He's very much at home with some give in the ground, so I hope it doesn't dry out too much. He threatens to get this sort of trip. This has been the long-term plan with Platform Nineteen. You can mark up his last two runs at York and Goodwood. He's sure to stay and goes on the ground.

Donald McCain, trainer of Goobinator

He's won his last two on the Flat at York and Haydock and goes there in good nick. It's taken a while for him to get back to his best after taking a fall over hurdles at Musselburgh, but we've always considered him a good horse.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Margaret Dumont

She's in very good order, but I'm not sure the drying ground will be to her advantage. I felt like this was the logical step after Goodwood and hopefully she'll outrun her odds.

James Ferguson, trainer of Snowalot

He's been a very progressive horse, and risen to every challenge. He runs like he will stay. He's quite a small horse, so competing off a light weight will suit him – he had top weight at Haydock last time which caught him out.

Saturday's race previews:

1.45 Newmarket: Charlie Appleby seeks flying start in the Zetland with promising Godolphin pair

2.20 Newmarket: 'We know more about him now' - can speedy Coroebus last home in Autumn Stakes?

2.55 Newmarket: 'He has sharpened up again' - Charlie Appleby full of confidence in Native Trail

3.15 York: O'Meara full of hope as Gulliver bids for treble tops in Coral Sprint Trophy

3.30 Chepstow: Can Nicholls extend record in first valuable handicap hurdle of season?

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute