Sergeant At Ease For Cesarewitch

Sergeant Cecil will bid to crown a magnificent season with victory in the totesport Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday week.

Rod Millman´s six-year-old has already bagged two of the richest handicaps in the calendar, the Northumberland Plate and the Ebor.

Sergeant Cecil produced a personal best to finish second to Millenary in the Doncaster Cup on his last outing, and the Cesarewitch could be the gelding´s last venture into handicap company.

'We gave him a bit of a break after Doncaster and we´re trying to get him to peak for the Cesarewitch,' Millman said.

'We did consider the Jockey Club Cup. He´s 4lb better off in the Cesarewitch than he would be in future handicaps but I think this could be his last handicap, all being well.

'He´s at his best on fast ground and we are just praying it doesn´t rain too much.

'He had about 10 days rest after Doncaster and we´ve gradually brought him back. He´s had a couple of good bits of work this week and he´ll have his last serious bit on Saturday and then it would be a case of getting him there on the day.'

Sergeant Cecil has been ridden in his seven starts this season by Alan Munro.

The Cullompton handler added: 'Alan has got a lot of faith in the horse. He´s been amazing but it has been a help having someone like Alan to ride him all the time, it has made all the difference.

'We´ve had a great time with Sergeant Cecil, he´s won the races we aimed at. The horse has improved with age but we never dreamt he´d be as good as this.

'We are looking forward with Cup races the plan next year.'

Sergeant Cecil is a top-priced 12-1 chance for the Cesarewitch.

(C) PA Sport