Blaze running hot

GARFINEY BLAZE (7.10) begins his quest for an historic hat-trick of wins in the event a week later than planned but can still outgun his rivals in heat three of the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch over 731m at Central Park tonight. Bad weather put paid to the Kent track's bid to stage the first major competition of 2026 - Romford had that honour last night - but the quality of four heats of the 731m annual live on PGR remains undimmed and Mark Wallis’ reigning two-time champion can come through a real test against Romeo Empire with flying colours. Garfiney Blaze ran a corker in last month’s George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial Final at Hove and was perhaps a touch unlucky when forced to check his stride approaching the last bend when a possible winner, albeit behind a good winner himself in Deadly Disco. Garfiney Blaze’s kennelmate MONGYS WILD (6.30) can strike in heat one at the expense of Deadly Disco. Also beaten by the latter at Hove, he was a staying-on and close-up third then and will be tough to hold here with a clear run. A multiple Category One champion himself, Mongys Wild trialled well and fast over four bends at the Sittingbourne venue and can lay down a real marker for Cesarewitch glory. DROOPYS FLARE (6.50, above) is second only to Mongys Wild in the ante-post list for the event and Sean Parker's St Leger runner-up

- by JONATHAN HOBBS

GARFINEY BLAZE (7.10) begins his quest for an historic hat-trick of wins in the event a week later than planned but can still outgun his rivals in heat three of the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch over 731m at Central Park tonight.

Bad weather put paid to the Kent track's bid to stage the first major competition of 2026 - Romford had that honour last night - but the quality of four heats of the 731m annual live on PGR remains undimmed and Mark Wallis’ reigning two-time champion can come through a real test against Romeo Empire with flying colours.