Jumps trainer Nicky Henderson knows a thing or two about winning the totesport Cesarewitch, as his classy hurdler Landing Light did the business two years ago.

But while Afrad is not as formidable a hurdler as his former stable companion, there's no doubt he is a progressive stayer who has conditions to suit and is strongly fancied to run a big race.

Ridden by Kieren Fallon, who again takes the ride, the gelding showed improved form when winning over a mile and a half at the July course here before showing stamina was his strong suit at Goodwood.

Always well placed, the four-year-old showed the right attitude to beat Ten Carat in July and has plenty in his favour here regarding ground, trip and draw (well berthed in stall 30).

Mark Johnston, who has a good record in this race and again took it last year with Contact Dancer, relies on Swift Sailor, who returned to winning ways on easy ground in a conditions event last time.

Lets Roll should be suited by the step up to this trip and makes each way appeal at double figure odds, but he would have been a stronger choice had his draw not been in single figures.

Middleham trainer Chris Thornton still believes Let's Roll has a ''fighting chance'' despite his concerns over the gelding's low draw.

The progressive four-year-old earned his place in the line-up for the Newmarket marathon after trotting up by ten lengths at Ayr last month.

However, he has been drawn towards the outside of the 36-runner field in stall eight and no horse lower than 17 has won the race in the last six years.

''He's in good form and I'm expecting a big run from him but we are a little bit worried about the draw if anything,'' Thornton said.

''It's not ideal being drawn in eight, I'd rather it had been 28, but a few of the fancied horses are not well drawn either.

''The ground is alright for him - he likes soft ground. He's just one of those horses who always runs well and he's sure to put up a good show.

''I put plenty of work into him before he went to Ayr and he trotted up.

''He has form with a lot of the fancied ones and at the weights he should turn the tables with them. The handicapper has put him up 8lb for Ayr so in theory he's 5lb better in tomorrow so he must have a chance.''

JANUS 1-2-3-4

1 Afrad; 2 Swift Sailor; 3 Lets Roll; 4.Land'N Stars.

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