Hi all,
Newmarket’s three day Cambridgeshire Meeting kicks off this afternoon.
The highlight of the seven-race card at Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting is the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes (3:20). Over at the Listowel Festival, the feature race is the Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle (Listed Handicap), offering €35,400 to the winner.
Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting
It was still good ground at Newmarket when I wrote this piece on Wednesday afternoon. However, there has been heavy rain at the track, with more expected on Thursday, so the ground is likely to ease too good to soft.
Another 12mm of rain is forecast for Friday, although it’s still predicted to be dry on Saturday. In Wednesday’s race preview, I mentioned Roi De France as high on my shortlist. However, he’s by Sea The Stars and has no form on anything other than good to firm. If the track gets the higher end of the forecasted rain, I won’t be siding with him.
2:45 – British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies' Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Last year’s winner Kinta returns, off a 1lb higher mark. She was last seen 209 days ago, finishing 4th of 12, just 1 length behind Chipstead at Lingfield. She had the benefit of a recent run when winning this race last year, and softening ground would be a concern. On good or quicker ground, like last year, she has a solid chance.
If the rain arrives and the ground eases, Executive Decision looks appealing. She’s run well on all three starts this season and is well-treated based on last year’s form. The softer the ground, the better her chance.
3:20 – Tattersalls Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
Aidan O’Brien’s Monumental improved significantly when finishing a close 2nd in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster 12 days ago. That form is the best on offer, and if he repeats it, he’s the one to beat.
Charlie Appleby’s Symbol Of Honour took well to the 7f trip, finishing 2nd by half a length in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster 13 days ago. With the yard having won this race in 2020 and 2021, he’s a strong contender.
Diego Ventura won a Naas maiden on debut for his previous trainer before following up with a penalty at Ascot(6f) for new connections 20 days ago. The step up to 7f should suit this son of Mehmas, who won on soft ground last time and is open to more improvement.
3:55 – Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed Race) – 2m
Just seven runners line up, but it’s a fascinating renewal with four key contenders.
Al Nayyir ran a blinder on his debut for Tom Clover, finishing a close second to Vauban in the Group 2 Lonsdale Stakes at York last time. He’s versatile regarding ground conditions and sets the form standard.
Night Sparkle has been ultra-consistent this season, finishing second for the fourth time in 2024, 1½ lengths behind in the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster 14 days ago. Her stable has won this race twice since 2020, but she’s finding it hard to win. She also finished behind Al Nayyir at York.
Fighter took a big step forward when winning the valuable Petingo Handicap at Leopardstown under a bold front-running ride 12 days ago. It’s a quick turnaround, but this 3-year-old is open to further improvement and deserves his place in the line-up.
Harbour Wind, trained by Dermot Weld, won on his seasonal debut in a Listed race at Limerick before finding the soft ground too testing when 2nd in a Group 3 at Longchamp. If the ground stays good, this lightly raced 4-year-old can go close, even with a penalty.
Thursday Selection
I think my two Kerry National picks are still in the running. The race won in splendid isolation by Flooring Porter who galloped his rivals into the ground from the front. However, I’m not sure what the other jockey’s were doing giving a classy front runner such an easy lead.
However, yesterday, I had a successful lay bet on Liberty Coach (5/4) at Redcar. For those who joined me before the Ayr Western Meeting, you've already seen your money returned with a nice profit on top.
If you’re looking for steady, consistent profits, now’s the time to join here. Start winning today—sign up and take your betting to the next level!
Good luck with your Thursday bets!
John