It's a fair cop - Constable nabs prime spot in Cesarewitch

John Constable was made clear favourite for the Cesarewitch with sponsors Betfred on Thursday after getting better luck in the draw than market rival Withhold.

Stalls positions can be crucial in the Newmarket marathon, despite the 2m2f trip, and 13 of the last 17 winners were drawn 18 or lower.

So the Evan Williams-trained John Constable looks handily placed in nine and remains an 8-1 chance in a field of 34, having won valuable handicaps over hurdles on his last two starts.

But the odds of Withhold, who was an encouraging third over 1m4f at Newbury on his first run for Roger Charlton, were pushed out from 8-1 to 10-1 after he drew stall 24.

"Obviously we would have liked to have been drawn lower than 24," Charlton admitted. "But I'm very pleased with Withhold and this has been the objective since the spring."

Dubawi Fifty had his price lengthened from 10-1 to 12-1 after drawing stall 19 while Euchen Glen (20) is a 16-1 chance from 14-1.

Shrewd choice

Apprentice Jamie Gormley, who needs one more winner to have his 7lb reduced to 5lb, will ride last year's 12th Shrewd (drawn nine) for the Ebor-winning yard of Iain Jardine.

"Jamie is a rider that I have great faith in," the trainer said. "In my opinion, he is different gravy to most 7lb claimers - he’s a very good rider who has a clock in his head and uses his brain.

"On top of Jamie’s claim, Shrewd is on a 7lb lower handicap mark than in this race last year. I’ve got no complaints about our draw and the ground will be ideal as it’s still got some moisture in it."

Expert Eye is a general 4-7 shot for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes following the defection of second favourite Verbal Dexterity, who has alternative engagements in the Criterium International at Saint Cloud and the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

Aidan O'Brien has four runners in a race he has won three times in the last four years, with Ryan Moore riding U S Navy Flag, Donnacha O'Brien on Seahenge, Wayne Lordan on Mendelssohn and Seamie Heffernan on Threeandfourpence.

Getting quicker

The ground remained officially good last night but clerk of the course Michael Prosser said: "In all likelihood it will be on the quick side of good by Saturday, if not Friday.

"We had less rain than we expected overnight and it is now set to stay dry, with unseasonably warm temperatures so the ground will dry, albeit steadily because it is October and there will be morning dews. And there is plenty of moisture in the ground."

Newmarket Saturday card and betting