They're under starters orders!

There's a cracking weekend of racing action in store- not least at Newmarket which tomorrow stages the Group One Champion Stakes and the 2m2f handicap Cesarewitch, one of my favourite races in the calendar. There'll also be plenty of clues for next year's Classics in the Dewhurst Stakes (won last year by subsequent Derby winner Sir Percy) and the Rockfel Stakes (won last year by subesequent 1,000 Guineas winner Speciosa).

For jumps fans, there's some great action too at Stratford and Kempton. This stage of the season, when the stars of the summer meet some classy animals returning to action from the big yards is always fascinating.
Finding winners won't be easy, but in the Cesarawitch I suggest an each-way interest on Sir Mark Prescott's ultra-consistent Key Time, and at longer odds, Mr Ed. He was second in the race a couple of years back and will come on a bundle for his comeback run over an inadequate 1m4f at Newmarket a couple of weeks back. In the Champion Stakes, Confidential Lady, runner up to Speciosa in the 1000 Guineas could be the value- she'll certainly handle the ground and trainer Sir Mark Prescott has a 100% record in the race. Over the jumps, I'll be cheering on Cheeky Lad in the 2 miler at Kempton and hoping Dickensbury Lad lands the 2m5f chase at Stratford.

Win, lose or draw, make sure you enjoy some of the action!

UPDATE: I think Mr Ed and Cheeky Lad are still running but at least Key Time, Confidential Lady and Dickensbury Lad put in respectable efforts.