Racing: Lord Lamb's gamble looks fully justified

Simon Holt of Channel 4 Racing analyses today's Cesarewitch Handicap

Bold Gait: Showed signs of a return to form when sixth at Newbury last time. Formerly smart but still high in the weights.

San Sebastian: Tough and consistent Irish raider. Decisive winner of the Ascot Stakes (2m 4f) in June. Out-and-out stayer.

Life Of Riley: Progressive earlier in the campaign but well off the boil in last two efforts.

On Call: Massively improved this season, winning seven times. Very useful.

Flying Eagle: Well placed by his trainer to score six times this term. Below that form on recent starts. Unproven beyond 1m4f.

Spirit Of Love: Very progressive since a Southwell victory in January and won a big handicap at the Doncaster St Leger meeting.

Opaque: Fair stayer but has struggled to make an impact since winning at York in May.

Captain Jack: Lightly raced these days but useful at his best. Off the course since finishing fifth behind Sandbaggedagain in July.

Ivor's Flutter: Twice successful in testing conditions in the spring. One to consider on soft ground.

Spunkie: Powerfully handled by Kieren Fallon to show improved form and win at Ascot from Etterby Park recently. Lightly-raced with more improvement to come.

Etterby Park: Tough stayer seemingly back to his best. Collared close home by Spunkie at Ascot. Rarely runs a bad race.

Renzo: Slightly in and out of form this season. Looked very one-paced when fifth at Newmarket.

Georgia Venture: Winner twice in 1997 but generally below that form this term. Well beaten behind Spirit Of Love at Doncaster.

Shooting Light: Better known as a useful hurdler these days. Beat only one home last month on belated reappearance.

Tough Act: Running reasonably and twice a winner over 1m4f at Goodwood this term. Unproven over this longer trip.

Dominant Duchess: Not disgraced when fourth in races won by Nanton Point and Travelmate. Unproven on soft ground.

Puteri Wentworth: Looked type for this race when successful over 2m 4f earlier in the season. Fourth to Spunkie last time.

Alhosaam: Fair hurdler last winter but needs to improve on two recent Flat efforts.

Nanton Point: In good form this term landing four minor handicaps, including over 2m 1f at Bath. Second in this race in 1995.

Random Kindness: Winner in all-weather/minor company.

Jamaican Flight: Front-runner. Little shown in last two outings.

Sea Freedom: Solid stayer who 1997 Ascot Stakes and finished third to San Sebastian in the same race in June. Ninth to Spunkie at Ascot.

Shahrur: Last of eight at Goodwood last month. Better hurdler.

Tarashaan: Winner four times in lesser company this season but rather disappointing favourite at Ayr most recently.

Lord Lamb: Ante-post favourite since finishing third to Travelmate in August then hacking up at Haydock. Potentially well handicapped and stable boasts fine Cesarewitch record.

Noufari: Successful five times (four of them on all-weather tracks) and chased home subsequent Irish Cesarewitch winner Sweetness Herself last time.

Il Principe: Returned to something like best form at Redcar last week but best form generally at a lower level.

Robbo: Should be fresher than most after two starts this term.

Bridie's Pride: Game winner at Ascot earlier in the season and tried to make all before finishing third to Danegold on the same course last week.

Conclusion: LORD LAMB gets the vote. San Sebastian and Spirit of Love are improving while Puteri Wentworth has an each-way chance.