Top apprentice with 'invaluable' claim booked for Manxman as Crisfords looks to ease last year's Cesarewitch pain

Promising apprentice Jack Callan has been booked for last year’s runner-up Manxman in Saturday’s Club Godolphin Cesarewitch, where he is set to face a fascinating rematch with returning winner Alphonse Le Grande.

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained five-year-old lost by a nose on the Rowley Mile that day, when he was ridden by 3lb claimer Sean D Bowen. 

Alphonse Le Grande was subsequently demoted by the whip review committee, with Manxman promoted to first place, only for Alphonse Le Grande to be reinstated as the winner on appeal.

Manxman, a best-priced 20-1 chance, is 8lb higher than he was a year ago, so connections have opted to claim 5lb off him by calling up Callan, who is attached to the George Boughey stable. The son of multiple Group 1 winner Neil has racked up 28 winners this year, despite being sidelined by injury in August.

Callan has ridden Manxman twice at home in recent weeks to prepare for the Cesarewitch, including on the summer gallop last Saturday.

Ed Crisford said: “We were keen to claim off Manxman, like we did last year, to give him every chance. Jack rides well and claims a handy 5lb, so hopefully they're set for a good run. He was just touched off in it last year and hopefully can go one better.

The field entering the closing stages of last year's CesarewitchCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

“We’ve freshened him up since he finished third at Goodwood last month, and there’s no reason why he can’t be bang there again.”

Manxman was a winner at Goodwood in May and has some decent form to his name in defeat, including when chasing home Saturday's Group 1 Prix du Cadran winner Caballo De Mar on his reappearance at Southwell in April.

He features among 25 confirmations for the 2m2f handicap, with the Charles Byrnes-trained Reverend Hubert, Bunting and East India Dock prominent in the betting.

On the Manxman booking, Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Jack hasn’t had that many rides for the Crisfords this year, but you can see why they’d want him for Manxman as he’s an up-and-coming apprentice who is in huge demand and he’ll take an invaluable 5lb off a horse like Manxman, who always tries his best but might just be weighted to the hilt.”

Club Godolphin Cesarewitch (3.40 Newmarket, Saturday)
William Hill: 6 Bunting, 7 Alphonse Le Grande, Reverend Hubert, 8 East India Dock, 10 Beylerbeyi, Hipop De Loire, 12 Belgravian, 14 Manxman, 16 bar.

Oh So Sharp favourite out

Pacific Mission, ante-post favourite for Friday's Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes, will not be running in the Group 3 after performing poorly in work last weekend.

Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon said: "Unfortunately Pacific Mission will miss the Oh Sharp Stakes on Friday. Andrew Balding told me she worked a bit flat at the weekend. 

"It’s a shame as it looked a good opportunity for her but hopefully she can make up into a nice filly for next year."

Read these next:

Alphonse Le Grande set to bid for a slice of history as Tony Martin sets out Cesarewitch plan 

Bookmakers' Arc relief at avoiding 'awful result' as Daryz denies favourite Minnie Hauk 

Did Christophe Soumillon go too soon on Minnie Hauk in the Arc? 

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