Buick takes Sharp chance

Tom Tate feels talented 3lb claimer William Buick could hold the key to another big Cesarewitch run from Dr Sharp.

The seven-year-old gelding ran a blinder in last season’s totesport-sponsored handicap when third at 100-1.

Dr Sharp is significantly shorter in price this time around, with his odds contracting to 16s from 25-1 with the sponsor after 35 millimetres of rain on Tuesday night.

“There are no certainties in racing but everything helps with these sort of horses so the ground is looking promising,” said Tate.

Dr Sharp, a good third at Haydock on his last start, will have the services of Buick for the first time and it is a partnership that excites the Tadcaster handler.

Tate added: “He (Buick) has got an old head on young shoulders and is a very good jockey who will be of benefit to these older horses like Dr Sharp.

“He’s a very cunning young man and you need that.”

Inchnadamph fared even better than Dr Sharp in last year’s Cesarewitch, finishing a length away from Detroit City in second.

The gelding was also in the money behind Sergeant Cecil in 2005 and trainer Tim Fitzgerald is quietly confident he can make it third-time lucky at Headquarters.

“I would rather have not seen that rain but it was good to soft last year,” reflected the Malton handler.

“It’s just tacky ground that he doesn’t like and Newmarket drains ever so well.

“He should really be 3lb lower rather than 3lb higher than last year, but that’s probably wishful thinking.

“He always goes well at Newmarket and loves the air down there so we are hopeful of a good run.”

Inchnadamph, the mount of Richard Mullen, is a 14-1 chance with totesport for the two-mile-two-furlong Cesarewitch.