Pipe launches CES raid Heros Fatal - one of six possible Martin Pipe runners in the Tote Cesarewitch - was today heavily supported in his bid to win the race for the second year running at Newmarket on Saturday. There was also plenty of market confidence for a host of other horses, including Barba Papa, trained in Ireland by Tony Martin. The Tote make Barba Papa 8-1 (from 10s) and Taffrail a 5-1 chance from 6-1. William Hill report that Heros Fatal was backed from 12-1 to 10-1 - and Barba Papa was the day`s best-backed runner, supported in from 12-1 to 8-1. Meanwhile, the sponsors are offering a special bet on Pipe - making the 11-times champion jumps trainer 7-2 to land the winner of the Stg £120,000 handicap, run over a marathon two miles and two furlongs. Seven-year-old Heros Fatal was an 11-1 chance when ridden to victory last season by Gary Carter, who is expected to take the mount again. Heros Fatal fell on his steeplechasing debut in February but, since returning to the Flat, has finished third of 18 to Archduke Ferdinand in the Foster`s Lager Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in June, and fourth of 10 to Moon Emperor at Ascot in August. He is thought to have improved since last year`s contest but he will need to have done, as Frank Farrant`s big hope now runs off a mark of 98 - 14lb higher than last year`s winning rating of 84. The other Pipe-trained possibles are Cyrian (the mount of Steven Drowne), Guard Duty (David Kinsella), Ravenswood (Kevin Darley), St Helensfield and the gambled-on Tarxien (Gary Bardwell). Owner Farrant told the Tote: 'It`s a much harder task off a 14lb higher mark than 12 months ago and I doubt lightning will strike twice. 'Having said that, he should have won last time at Ascot - he was full ofrunning when denied a clear run - and he`s an improved horse this year. 'He stays and stays and has an each-way chance. I think Barba Papa is the one to beat. He`s off a similarweight to last year when he was placed.' Farrant added: 'If Heros Fatal won on Saturday we might think twice about going jumping this season - he`s always been campaigned before as a dual-purpose horse - and the idea might be to prepare him for Cup races next Flat season. 'He`s only been lightly raced and he`s a horse who can keep improving.' David Pipe, Martin`s son, today reported the yard`s sextet all on target for Saturday`s marathon. He said: 'All six are due to run and they`re all well and in good form. Guard Duty has had a break (105 days) and has been freshened up, while Heros Fatal is trying to do the double off a higher weight. He`s very well. 'Tarxien is low in the weights and if he can reproduce the improvement he`s shown over hurdles then he would have a good chance. 'Ravenswood has run some great races this season and has been a bit unlucky. He`s not without a chance. It`s just great to have Cyrian back on the track, as he`s been absent for a long time (1,129 days).' Frankie Dettori - on the crest of a wave after his superb Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe victory on Sakhee - is set to ride Archduke Ferdinand in the Cesarewitch. The irrepressible Italian, who has been enjoying a real purple patch this autumn, was today booked to partner the three-year-old for trainer Paul Cole. The trainer`s assistant Jim Boyle said: 'The owner was keen to get him and we are very happy with that.' It will be the first time that ex-champion jockey Dettori has ridden the colt. 'He has not sat on the horse,' added Boyle. Archduke Ferdinand will be reappearing after a lacklustre performance in the Tote Ebor Handicap at York, where he finished 20th of the 22 runners. He was a 16-1 chance when ridden by Kevin Darley that day and was eased after being hampered and losing his place over two furlongs out in the race, won by Aidan O`Brien`s Mediterranean. 'It was a slightly disappointing run last time but you can discount that. I think he will show improvement,' Boyle said. 'He seems in good form with himself. It`s a hot race but he will go well.' French-bred Archduke Ferdinand was ridden by Francis Norton and was sent off a 12-1 shot when winning the Northumberland Plate by a neck from the favourite Cover Up. Neither Dettori nor Cole have previously won the Cesarewitch before. Meanwhile, Richard Hills will ride ante-post favourite Nayef in the Dubai Champion Stakes on the same Champions Day card. His agent John Robertson said Hills would definitely take the mount on the Marcus Tregoning-trained colt in preference to the stable`s other likely runner Albarahin. 'It was always going to be Nayef,' added Robertson. He said Hills was looking forward to a good ride on the highly-regarded Nayef in the £400,000 Group One contest over a mile and a quarter. The three-year-old is bidding for a fourth straight win after a series of impressive performances in the second half of the season. Willie Supple is expected to take the ride on Albarahin. Nayef, the one-time Derby favourite, has been the best backed horse with Coral today and is now the 4-1 market leader (from 5-1). And Richard Hannon`s Reel Buddy is quietly fancied for the £100,000 Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes, also on Saturday. Assistant trainer Richard Hannon Jnr told the Racing Channel: 'He was very disappointing last time at Newbury. He wasn`t himself at all. He`s a really good horse on his day but things just have to go right for him.' 'The colt has been unlucky and could have won four or five races. 'Things just haven`t gone right for him - he`s well up to winning the race,' added Hannon, who confirmed a jockey booking has still to be made. Newmarket clerk of the course Michael Prosser reported the going good to soft, good in places. 'We had 4mm of rain last nightand that has just eased the ground slightly. It has been dry today and the forecast is it to be dry for tomorrow.' It was possible there might be showers tomorrow evening but the track was 'taking it well'. Any further rain would probably make the going on the easy side of good by Saturday but, if it was dry, the ground was likely to be good, he added. Tote Cesarewitch Tote betting: 11-4 Alleluia (with a run), 5-1 Taffrail, 8-1 Barba Papa, 10-1 Heros Fatal, 11-1 Cover Up, 12-1 Brother Joe, 14-1 Wave of Optimism, Ansar, Brother Joe, Distant Prospect, 16-1 Tarxien, Hirapour, Hugs Dancer, 18-1 Ravenswood, 20-1 Big Moment, Capal Garmon, 25-1 bar. William Hill betting: 5-2 Alleluia (with a run), 5-1 Taffrail, 8-1 Barba Papa (from 12), 10-1 Heros Fatal (from 12), 12-1 Cover Up (from 14), 14-1 Ansar, Brother Joe (from 12), Wave Of Optimism (from 16), 16-1 Distant Prospect, Hirapour, Hugs Dancer, Ravenswood, 20-1 Big Moment (from 16), 25-1 bar. Coral betting: 7-4 Alleluia (with a run), 11-2 Taffrail, 8-1 Barba Papa, 10-1 Heros Fatal, Brother Joe, 11-1 Ansar, 12-1 Cover Up, Distant Prospect, Big Moment, 14-1 Hirapour, Ravenswood, 16-1 bar. Dubai Champion Stakes Coral betting: 4-1 (from 5-1) Nayef, 6-1 Best Of The Bests, Grandera, Tobougg, 7-1 Carnival Dancer, 8-1 Equerry, No Excuse Needed, 10-1 Beckett, Hawkeye, Tough Speed, 14-1 Albarahin, Ekraar, 16-1 Distant Music, 25-1 Chancellor, 50-1 bar.
