PHILIP Hobbs is not one to shout his horses’ chances from the rooftops but he told the world that Big Easy had been trained for last Saturday’s Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket for a good few months.

His quiet, unwavering confidence was well-founded because the seven-year-old ran out a narrow but decisive winner from De Rigueur, with 5/1 favourite Quick Jack and Brass Ring claiming the minor places.

Willie Mullins’ Digeanta, 20/1, rewarded those prepared to look for a bookmaker paying out on the fifth.

Mr Burbidge made much of the running but was a spent force with three furlongs to travel, where Nearly Caught led and came again after being headed by Quick Jack. The roars went up for Tony Martin’s market leader, with Richard Hughes still apparently quite confident entering the final furlong.

However, De Rigueur overcame scrimmaging to join issue as Big Easy (10/1) and Tom Queally, having switched left, stayed on best of all on the outside. He had three-quarters of a length to spare at the line, finding plenty after coming under pressure fully three furlongs from the finish.

Hobbs and owner Terry Warner were winning the race for the second time following Detroit City’s triumph in 2006.

Too much is made of the draw advantage over two and a quarter miles and several drawn high came to have their chance in the closing stages, though it is probably fair to say that Big Easy’s position in stall two helped as he held his pitch towards the far side until angling out late in the day.

He was drawn widest of all last year and Hobbs was adamant that he had a much better chance this time. He stays three miles over hurdles and there is surely more to come from him over the winter months.

The form of the recent trial over course and distance proved most reliable, with Queally telling Philip and Sarah Hobbs after Big Easy’s second that the Cesarewitch was the perfect race for him.

“All he does is stay and he’s proved today that’s he’s a very good stayer,” the trainer’s wife said. “He’s a big boat. He does a lot of swimming as part of his training and he likes that.”

“We knew headgear would help him at the end of the race and it was just a question of whether to go for cheekpieces or a visor,” Queally added. “The cheekpieces definitely worked. He stays so well and it’s a great prize to win.”

The original plan was to go for the Ascot Stakes but Big Easy was balloted out.

“This has been the plan ever since that happened,” Warner smiled. “This flat racing is easy, really. There are no hurdles for him to jump, though he’s probably my best hurdler, as well.”

The owner’s familiar yellow colours were famously carried to victory by Rooster Booster in the Champion Hurdle but Big Easy looks more of a Pertemps Final contender.

Quick Jack’s owner John Breslin thought a little more rain might have helped.

“He came there on the bridle a furlong out but the ground may have been a bit firm for him in the Dip,” he said. “He’s run a cracker nonetheless.”