Saturday at Newmarket is a fantastic day of equine sport, with the Royal Lodge and Cheveley Park Stakes for the two year olds, full of class. Then the fillies and mares take centre stage in the Sun Chariot Stakes at 3.00, with Beauty Parlour and Elusive Kate sure to be very popular in the market. But the biggest puzzle of all tomorrow is a puzzle that involves British, Irish and French runners, 3 year olds up to 7 year olds and 35 runners, the Cambridgeshire, a cavalry charge over a mile and a furlong of the world famous Rowley Mile course.
The purpose of this preview is to try and trim the field down to four or five, and find some value in the bigger priced runners.
Can a past winner go in again?: In my honest opinion, no. Although I would love to see Prince of Johanne win in consecutive years, he's a six year old off a 13lb higher mark, and despite young Brendan Powell taking 5lb off on what is his biggest Flat ride to date, he has his work cut out. As does Credit Swap, who hasn't shown any real form since his win in this in 2010, and seems a no hoper.
What about the three year olds?: I think that a couple of three year olds are going to play a prominent role here, but not the current favourite Mukhadram. Although I saw him win his maiden here back in May, I think he is too short, and despite his shrewd yard, I think he will struggle to lay up with the early pace. Chil The Kite though, should be favourite after a good fourth last time in Listed company on ground that was probably a bit too fast at Haydock. Before that, he had shown improved form, winning two nice handicaps showing a good turn of speed on both occasions. Two slight doubts are his draw in stall 1, right on the far side, and his two defeats at this venue would also be a minor worry. Despite this, under Richard Hughes, I expect a very bold bid.
As for the other three year olds, Burano may bounce and is also a bit high in the weights for what he has achieved so far. Bronze Angel has claims, but is no certain stayer of this fiercely run nine furlongs and I'd rather leave him after the early Pricewise selection in the week. I quite like Rewarded at a price. He has a course win and is from a yard that is very capable and usually go under the radar a little bit. He has been running well in Group races, and back in a handicap off a very fair mark, is overpriced at 25/1. He was third behind Energizer, narrowly beating Mukhadram off level weights, it's the same tomorrow, Mukhadram 9/1, Rewarded 25/1.
What about the ones at the top of the weights?: Fury has had too many chances for my liking now, and even with the hood applied, I can't fancy him. Similar applies with Navajo Chief, who has had a lot of running as well this summer. Boom And Bust was ahead of Chil The Kite at Haydock, but a race like this doesn't play to his strengths that well. Despite this, he is game and is sure to run his heart out again. King's Warrior doesn't like the track I don't think, after looking very uneasy on it earlier on this season. Mijhaar is a monkey, but if he has a lucky/going day, he would be a danger to all.
Of the others?: I don't know much about the French challenger Talk About, who is a contender for a yard who have had plenty of success on these shores in the past. I like 3 at bigger prices. Start Right for Godolphin and Silvestre De Sousa has had a bit of hard luck on his last three starts, especially last time out at Sandown when getting blocked at least twice, before finishing sixth behind Labarinto. I think he is too big at 33's.
Swiftly Done is another that I like here, after a hopelessly unlucky passage at Goodwood, that resulted in his jockey hitting fellow jockey Jamie Spencer after the race. Jimmy Fortune is aboard tomorrow and is a very reliable big race jockey, and a rare booking for this shrewd yard (Declan Carroll). If they get a bit of rain, then he would have a big each way chance at 25's.
Jack's Revenge is another who must go well for the George Baker team. He is a quirky hold up horse who looked a shade unlucky not to win after being stopped momentarily before delivering a withering late run to snatch third, beaten two necks at Goodwood. He won at Windsor and on the July Course before that and is certainly going the right way. Gerald Mosse, the top French rider takes the ride, and will hopefully be produced late off a strong pace, and will be bang there by the end I'm sure.
Finally, the horse that finished a neck ahead of him that day, Bancnuanaheireann could run a big race for a yard in Michael Appleby having a great season. He ran a corker at Goodwood, but hasn't quite replicated that since in races not fully run to suit. But this will be run at a fast pace, which he can sit off the back of, and maybe sneak a place at huge odds.
I hope this is a useful guide for you trying to solve the puzzle of the Cambridgeshire.
Good Luck
Will
or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter
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