We have one of the most fascinating weekend’s racing of the whole season ahead of us with the Cambridgeshire and the Arc to look forward to.
I will just concentrate on Saturday’s cards tonight with a further update tomorrow night.
Starting at Newmarket there are 2 runners from our list to follow in the 2.45. Dunelight was only beaten a neck in a Group 3 at Goodwood on his last start and it would be no big surprise if he was placed again. He is a course and distance winner and his chances will improve the more the ground dries out. Caldra has shown his best form with cut in the ground but his supporters can take some consolation from the facts that he holds a Group 2 entry and that 3 year olds have 7 of the last 10 renewals.
Echelon is a horse I have always liked and she has been going from strength to strength this season. She acts on most surfaces but is probably best on good to firm. She looks the percentage call in the 3.20.
At 3.55 we are face with trying to sort out the cavalry charge that is the Cambridgeshire. There are 6 runners from our list to follow so I will start with a look at their chances. I like lightly raced horses in this handicap so Mutajarred, who has only run 5 times fits the bill. His 3 wins have all come with plenty of cut in the ground though so I am not sure how he will handle a faster surface. He has gone up in the weights and has no experience of big fields so I am going to pass him by. Seabow is another that has few miles on the clock. He beat Galactic Star last season at level weights and that horse won a listed race today. He is by no means out of it but there is the suspicion that he might be better with some juice in the ground. Prince of Light is best on fast ground and is a course and distance winner. He is just 2 lbs higher than his highest winning mark. Superseus is another course and distance winner. He goes well fresh and has had a 2 month break.
Monte Alto is yet to be out of the first 3 in his 10 race career and comes here on the back of a win a fortnight ago at Newbury. Johnny Murtagh rides and the horse acts on the ground. He must have a big chance. Escape Route has looked a bit of a tricky customer at times but put his previous stalls problems behind him with a win over this distance at Goodwood last month. His willingness in a large field could be a concern.
Very Wise and Greek Well look other to consider but for my selection I will go with Monte Alto.
The 5.05 is a fascinating race as it features Kafuu, who has only run once, winning at York exactly a year ago. He was impressive that day, albeit in soft ground, and as the saying goes, could be anything. The other runner from our list to follow is Artimino who still has scope for improvement at this trip and acts on fast ground.
Advanced could hardly have been more impressive when storming home in the Ayr Gold Cup and steps up to listed class in the 4.10 at Redcar. Our other runner is course and distance winner Passion Fruit who will run better than her 66/1 would suggest. Advanced would be my selection though.
Wyeth is an interesting runner in the 4.20 at Wolverhampton as he is a half brother to George Washington.
There is a strong British challenge for the 2.25 at Longchamp, including Red Evie and Dutch Art. Red Evie has never been beaten over 7 furlongs and should give a good account while Dutch Art deserves a win after some sterling efforts in defeat this season.
Smart Enough could just be a surprise package in the 3.30. He likes soft ground, is ridden by Kieren Fallon and ran an encouraging race at Haydock recently.
The only runner from our list to follow at Wolverhampton tomorrow night is the rather unreliable Coup D’Etat in the 7.55.
See you tomorrow for a look at the Arc amongst other things.
ahorse 