Newmarket preview: Cesarewitch Handicap (15.50)

Low Key is in the form of his life at present, and looks weighted to take all the beating in the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket (15.50).

The David Pipe trained gelding comes into the contest on the back of a hat-trick, scoring twice over hurdles before running out an impressive winner of the trial for this race over course and distance three weeks ago.

Low Key was held-up in the latter before making stealthy headway two from home in the hands of crack apprentice Tom Marquand to take up the running inside the last and forge clear to win by 3 1/2 lengths off a mark of 82.

It was a most taking performance, and one which suggested Low Key was miles ahead of the assessor.

The eight-year-old is able to race in this under a 4lb penalty, and that makes Low Key look very well-treated as he is due run off a mark of 92 in future engagements.

It means that the son of Pentire is 6lb well-in at the weights, and that is going to make Low Key very hard to beat.

Low Key also once again has the services of Marquand in the saddle who is unbelievable value for his 3lb claim, and everything looks in place for a massive run.

Irish trainer Tony Martin saddles two leading contenders in Heartbreak City and Quick Jack, and the former looks the better weighted of the pair.

After shaping with plenty of promise when third at Galway on his penultimate outing, Heartbreak City landed a competitive 15-runner 2m contest at York by 2 1/2 lengths when last seen in action.

The five-year-old made smooth headway from the rear three from home before showing a smart a smart turn of foot for a stayer when produced inside the final furlong to score with tons in hand.

Heartbreak City now has to race off 9lb higher, but remains unexposed and open to further improvement after just three runs on the level and hails from a shrewd yard whose runners in this type of contest command the utmost respect.

Of the others, Nearly Caught looks a lively outsider and a bit of each-way value in a wide open contest.

The Hughie Morrison trained five-year-old finished a cracking sixth in the race 12 months ago, and has made the frame in three of his four starts this season.

They include a fine third in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, and although now running off a career-high mark ofn 104 it would be no surprise to see Nearly Caught go close given his record in competitive staying contests.

Coral’s top tip: Low Key has the perfect profile for the race and looks weighted to take all the beating. Nearly Caught ran well in the race last year and could be a bit of each-way value