Bag a great Bargain at 7-2 in Ces semis; Jonathan Kay Open Check.

Byline: Jonathan, Kay

HE WENT WHOOSH certainly lived up to his name in the heats a week ago with a sensational best-of-night success, and Claude Gardiner's dog can follow up in the second semi-final of the William Hill Cesarewitch over 645m at Oxford tonight (9.30).

Interestingly, Gardiner opted to give the dog a sprint trial at home track Hove on Monday, presumably to keep him fresh, and it is to be hoped he looks as lively at the start as he did in the heats because he is flanked by pace and will need to get away on terms.

Main market rival Melodys Comet looked ill-suited to a rails draw last time so trap three may bring about an improvement, but an on-song and dominating He Went Whoosh will be very hard to reel in.

The opening semi at 8.30 looks more interesting from a betting point of view, with Best Bargain (pictured) definitely worth an interest despite being beaten favourite behind the impressive He Went Whoosh last week.

Best Bargain's race was over at the traps on that occasion as he completely fluffed his lines, but that should have acted as a refresher for Ernie Gaskin's pacy charge, and a slicker break can see him get comfortable first run.

Elsewhere, main meeting is at Hove where the first eight of ten opens on the card will be broadcast live into Coral betting shops.

Blonde Alonso can get punters off to a flying start by taking the opening 285m sprint at 7.30. Tony Dean's dog has won just under half his races this year, including impressively over course and distance last week, but is perhaps still a little underrated and often goes off at very backable prices.

Best bet on the Hove card could be Ken Tester's Farney King in a Coral Sussex Cup trial stakes over 515m at 8.18. Winner of four of his last seven round here, he goes from trap five in an all-railer contest, but should capitalise on the absence of Sobers from four to dart clear..

The Other Outlaw lost his unbeaten Hove record last week when well beaten behind Stardome Storm after a troubled run, but Jason Foster's charge can exact revenge when the pair line up again in the non-televised 9.41 over 515m hurdles.

Sittingbourne's evening Bags meeting features four opens (live on SIS), with Lenson Smoothie fancied to follow up Sunday's success by taking the 8.51 over 500m.

There are also opens at Belle Vue and Henlow, with Freedom Lark (9.53) and Cobra Striking (10.05) the respective suggestions - the last-named can beat Kindred Sparky in a fascinating clash of two still top-class veterans.

Recommendation Best Bargain 1pt 7-2 Boylesports, Coral Oxford 8.30