ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin highlights eight horses to consider in the Cambridgeshire with Sky Bet paying EIGHT places on each-way bets.
The Rockfel, the Joel Stakes, the Royal Lodge, the Cheveley Park, the Middle Park, the Cambridgeshire – what a weekend we have in store! And we haven’t even mentioned the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe card yet.
It’s sensational stuff and a bit of a contrast to last Saturday when we lost the Ayr Gold Cup. That was unfortunate for everyone involved – I made a U-turn when on the way to Southampton airport when I heard the news – but fair play to the authorities for rearranging the race, of sorts, at Haydock on Saturday.
The ITV team played a blinder as well in setting us up at Newbury so quickly as things were shuffled around, but hopefully things will go much smoother at the Cambridgeshire meeting this weekend.
To celebrate a magnificent day’s racing Sky Bet are paying out on a whopping EIGHT places on each-way bets in the big handicap, the Cambridgeshire, so it’s time to get your heads buried in the form book to try and unearth one at a big price.
Here are my eight to look out for in the Cambridgeshire...
Leader Writer – This would be a great story. Henry Spiller, who learnt his trade under the tutelage of Saeed bin Suroor, was sent this horse from France as he had a problem loading into starting stalls. Spiller goes down to the start to oversee this son of Pivotal get in the gates and he had no problems last time, scooting clear under Fran Berry at Ascot. 2lb well in after that, he looks the ideal type for the race and won’t mind any rain. My number one pick.
Brorocco - Andrew Balding’s horse absolutely hosed up at Newbury last weekend. A big field and strong gallop are ideal for him, he just sneaks in, he should love it, he’s in great form. His trainer targeted this race but didn’t think he'd get in – now he does he has every chance of going very close indeed.
Thundering Blue – Rightful favourite and a very solid option, especially with the seven places! I thought it was the handicap performance of the season when he won at Sandown and on that evidence an extra 6lb might not stop him following up. He’s been a bit wayward in the closing stages of his races but the Cambridgeshire should suit him in that regard as they can keep him covered up until challenging late… he has to run well.
Novoman - Connections have always thought a lot of this horse and he’s come good his last two starts at York and Goodwood. The improvement has come since stepping up in trip to 10 furlongs so a fast-run 1m1f should be right up his street.
Click here to bet on the Cambridgeshire at Sky Bet - EIGHT places on each-way bets
Central Square – Poet’s Word is one of my favourite horses – I was gutted when Decorated Knight pipped him in Ireland – and just over a year ago Central Square beat him a length in a handicap at the Leger meeting. Roger Varian’s horse hasn’t won since, but he’s fared well in group races and he might just be suited by the nature of this race. He’s classy and well worth considering each-way at big odds.
Battle Of Marathon – Really interesting horse. He’s plummeted down the weights and looks well handicapped now. His last run was a return to form and he loves a big field, as his runs, off much higher marks, in races like the Lincoln and the Hunt Cup show. A lively outsider.
Tha'ir – Okay. This one takes some explaining. But with seven shots at this I’m allowed to shoot for the moon and Tha’ir looks like just the sort of horse that his wily trainer Mick Appleby excels with. Appleby might have one of the favourites in Big Country but that just means Tha'ir is flying even lower under the radar and he has a big shout on his old form.
Bravery - It's not been David O'Meara's best season but don't forget he's won the Lincoln and the Wokingham already and it's Bravery who struck gold on Town Moor back at the start of the season. He loves travelling away off a strong gallop and this big field could certainly bring out the best in him again.
Click on the image below to check out Sky Bet's live Cambridgeshire odds - EIGHT places...
Carry On Deryck tops the weights for Saturday's Betfred Cambridgeshire.
There were no major surprises at the final declaration stage with Luca Cumani's Banksea, Carry On Deryck's fellow Saeed bin Suroor inmate Yattwee, Ed Dunlop's Dark Red and David Simcock's Bless Him among those taken out.
Star apprentice David Egan takes 3lb off for Godolphin's Carry On Deryck with Ryan Moore riding El Hayem for Sir Michael Stoute and Jamie Spencer teaming up with Master The World for David Elsworth.
The ante-post favourite, Thundering Blue, will leave stall 20 under Jim Crowley for David Menuisier who also runs Sinfonietta, who was the last horse to make the cut for the 35-runner event.
Andrew Balding's Brorocco comfortably made the line-up with his 4lb penalty for winning at Newbury last week.
Big Country has champion jockey-elect Silvestre de Sousa on board, Ebor winner Callum Rodriguez rides Kings Gift for Michael Dods with Colin Keane on Bravery for David O'Meara.
