Hi all,
Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting – Day 1
It’s set to be mostly dry for the three days, so the ground is likely to be on the quick side of good come Saturday if that weather forecast prevails. We can expect the track to start watering to maintain the going and with the morning dew at this time of year it won’t be rattling fast summer ground.
It’s an eight race card for the first day of Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting. I won’t be going through all the races over the next few days, just those races that interest me or I’m having a bet in. So, it’s going to be a case of quality over quantity in the next four days.
The Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes (3.35) and the Listed jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes (4.10) are today’s feature race. The latter race has only attracted four runners with last year’s Ebor winner Trawlerman long odds onto win.
3:35 – Tattersalls Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
On the other hand, the Tattersalls Stakes looks a cracker with 14 juveniles set to line up for the day’s feature race. You have a couple of runners with strong juvenile form in Inishfallen & Alyanaabi against half a dozen one raced winners. Most interesting of the latter group are Eben Shaddad, Legend Of Time & Military.
Eben Shaddad looked a nice prospect when winning here on the July Course on racecourse debut in August. He’s capable of better with racing for the Gosden yard.
Legend Of Time, trained by Charlie Appleby who saddled the winner of this race in 2020 & 2012, produced the best turn of foot to win a slowly run Haydock novice (1m) at Haydock 21 days ago. Interesting to see him drop back in trip here but he didn’t look short of pace on racecourse debut.
Aidan O’Brien won this in 2019 so you must respect his runner Military. The son of Siyouni looked a nice prospect when comfortably winning a Naas maiden (6f) two weeks ago. He’s got plenty of fancy entries, was entered in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, and should be well suited by the step up to 7f.
Rest of the Newmarket card
There are five handicaps on the card with varying field sizes and quality. The first four of them are of some interest but the last one is a five runner contest that concludes the card which I’m happy to leave alone.
2:25 – Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Nursery Handicap (Class 4) – 1m
I’m Puzzled improved for the step up to mile when winning at Sandown nursery 13 days ago. He only beat two rivals that day and is 6lb higher but seems to be going the right way and must be seriously considered. Now a non-runner.
Alfred left is previous moderate from behind when winning a Yarmouth handicap (7f) 9 days ago. Has a 6lb penalty to carry for his latest win and back on quicker ground but should go well with Tom Marquand booked.
Blown Away got off the mark at the third attempt when landing a Chelmsford novice (1m) 14 days ago. Back on turf today but looks competitively weighted on handicap debut if as effective on the surface and track.
3:00 – British EBF 40th Anniversary Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Executive Decision improved to win 6f handicaps at Goodwood & Chepstow. The 3-year-old wasn’t suited by the step up to 7f at Doncaster last time and will be seen in a better light dropped back to 6f.
A length separated Frankness and Al Simmo when the pair were first and second at Salisbury three weeks ago. Al Simmo gets a 3lb pull in the weights, but Frankness is only a 3-year-old and arguably has more upside of the pair. Al Simmo has yet to run on the Rowley Course but her form figures on the July Course are 211.
Trainer Michael Dods has won the last two renewals of this race. Top weight Gale Force Maya provided the first of those successes and the mare must have a decent chance of gaining a second success in the race. She’s not really been at her best this season but quick ground suits, she’s proven over C&D, and she’s only been out of the places once on her ten starts in September. The first time blinkers go on and big run looks forthcoming.
4:45 – Graham Budd Art & Memorabilia Auction Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 4f
Marhaba The Champ proved his stamina for 1m 4f when gaining a third career success at York last month. Up 6lb but unexposed over the distance and there should be more to come from him. I kind of wanted to take him on but if he transfers his York form to here a 6lb rise shouldn’t hold him back.
Spectacular Style lived up to his name when winning a Hamilton novice by 20 lengths, 23 days ago. The son of Frankel is a deeper race on handicap debut but could be capable of rating higher over this trip.
5:18 – Racing Welfare Handicap (Class 4) – 1m
With fourteen to set go to post this is the most competitive of the day.
Restrict, twice a winner on the all-weather in March, has returned from a five month absence in good form and was only beaten a short head into second on turf debut at Newbury (good to firm) last month. Up 3lb but won’t be far away on a sound surface.
Ranger Thunderbolt has improved for the step into handicap company winning at Newbury (1m) and finishing runner-up at the same venue last time. Returns from a 63 day break but has won off a longer lay off and must be considered back at a mile.
Double Time a three time winner on the all-weather put in his best performance on turf when a ½ length 2nd of 11 at Ascot 20 days ago. Osin Murphy 1-1 on the 5-year-old is back in the saddle and he should be in the shake up if in the same form as last time.
Ventura Rascal bounced back from a couple of lesser runs when a length 2nd of 12 at Ayr 7 days ago. and He’s 4 wins from 8 runs, 6 places when racing within 15 days of his previous start. The 6-year-old can race off the same mark as at Ayr and is nicely treated on the best of his form.
Betting Advice:
A low key start to the meeting from a betting perspective. I fancy Aidan O’Brien can take the feature race the Tattersall Stakes (3:35) with Military.
I’m worried about Al Simmo but provided the going is on the quick side of good I’m going with Gale Force Maya in the 3:00. My other selections are in the 5:18 and I can’t really split Double Time & Ventura Rascal.
Newmarket
3:00 – Gale Force Maya – 1pt win – 13/2 @ Bet365
5:18 – Double Time – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Coral and Ventura Rascal – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral.
Cheers
John