Morning all,

The three-day Cambridgeshire meeting gets under way at Newmarket today with the feature race being the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes (2.45). The Andre Fabre-trained Trident, runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Morny last time, heads the ante post betting and will be tough to beat.

There's also the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl (3.20) and some interesting handicaps on offer from flat racings HQ. Across the Irish Sea the Listowel Harvest festival, featuring a 1m4f premier handicap (4.00). Perth, Pontefract, and Wolverhampton complete the day's action.

Yesterday’s Kerry National had plenty of thrills and spills but ultimately produced an easy winner in the Joseph O’Brien trained Assemble.

Fairyhill Run couldn’t get into the race. You must feel sympathy for connections of the mare. Not sure its fair that one owner can have seven runners in the race. Perhaps there should be a cap on the number of horses a trainer can have in these races?

I ended up going with Born By The Sea & Aramax. The latter made a mistake at the first and was on the back foot from then onward. However, Born By The Sea sneaked into 5^th so the each way bet was landed at 16/1.

Something for the weekend – Part 2

After yesterday’s look at Saturday’s Cheveley Park Stakes. Today my attention switches to the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes.

Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes – Newmarket

Perfect Power landed what looked a strong renewal of the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville last time with the Alan King trained Asymmetric back in third.

When I wrote my review of the juvenile colt’s picture last month. I said the Middle Park at Newmarket looked a good race for both Perfect Power & Asymmetric. The former was a best priced 8/1 with Paddy Power for the race at the time. Hopefully some of you got on as he is now a best priced 7/4. Interestingly Christophe Soumillon who rode the colt at Deauville comes over to take the ride on Saturday.

Ebro River won the Group 1 Phoenix Park Stakes two starts back. Before finishing a 4-length 4^th of 7 to Native Trail in the Group 1 National Stakes. The drop back to 6f is a positive as would a slightly easier surface be.

Dr Zemph and Go Bears Go finished second & third in the Phoenix Park Stakes. Both should go well again. However, Dr Zemph is open to more improvement of the pair and the latter’s trainer has gone 38-days since he’s had a winner.

Perfect Power had finished 1 ¼ lengths behind Asymmetric in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. I think there is another big run in Asymmetric and the 7/1 with Ladbrokes & William Hill look perfectly fair.

Verdict:  I’ve had a small ante post bet on Perfect Power at 8s. He does look the most likely winner but 7/4 holds no interest. Looking at the prices Ebro River & Asymmetric and Dr Zemph all look better value to me.

Thursday racing

Newmarket

The going is good to soft, good in places at Newmarket for the start of the Cambridgeshire meeting. Sadly, the ITV cameras won’t be there today although they will be covering the Friday action.  I have had a quick look at a few of the Newmarket races starting with the feature race.

2:45 – Tattersalls Stakes (Registered As The Somerville Tattersall Stakes) (Group 3) – 7f

Prix Morny runner-up Trident is going to be tough to beat if improving for the step up to 7f. More progress does seem likely and trainer Andre Fabre thinks he could be a Dewhurst horse.

Modern Games made it 2-4 when winning a Class 2 nursery at Doncaster 15-days ago. He’s improved with each of his four starts. He needs to progress further to win this but that seems likely.

Cresta beat Modern Games on his race course debut at Leicester last month. He’s another capable of further improvement and can get into the money.

Ribhi, a winner at Salisbury, showed his inexperience when making his effort 2f out in Listed company at Doncaster last time.  He also didn’t get the clearest of runs 1f out that day either. Remains capable of better and has each way claims.

1:35 – Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Nursery Handicap (Class 2) – 1m

Noisy Night has been well placed to win his last three starts all at Kempton. Up 5lb for the last of those wins but he’s going the right way and will be suited by the step up to a mile. If he handles the track he is the one to beat.

Sed Maarib was no match for Modern Games when finishing runner-up to that one at Doncaster last time. He’s another who will be suited by the step up to a mile.

2:10 – British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies' Handicap (Class 2) – 6f

Quickstep Lady is inconsistent she disappointed at Salisbury last time after winning at Windsor two starts back. Capable of a good run if in the mood.

Zim Baby might not be suited by the drying ground, all her wins have come on an easy surface but she’s been given a chance by the handicapper. She ran one of today’s rivals Gale Force Maya to ¾ length when 3^rd of 6 at Pontefract 7-days ago and gets 3lb from the winner today,

3:55 – Discover Newmarket Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 4f

Lostwithiel had looked set for a good season when finishing a ½ length 2^nd of 7 here over 1m 6f in May. However, he’s disappointed on both starts since. Has been given a 76-day break and that needs to have freshened him up.

Torcello made it 2-3 over C&D, won this in 2017, when making all to win May. The 7-year-old is 4lb higher than for his last win and may prefer softer ground these days. Osin Murphy who is 2-3 on the gelding is back in the saddle for the first time since 2017. There doesn’t look like there is much in the way of pace so it’s likely he can get the run of the race out in front.

Thursday selection:

Despite the drying ground I’m taking a chance that Torcello can get an uncontested and can beat younger rivals in the 3:55.

Newmarket

3:55 – Torcello – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Good luck with Thursday bets.

John

John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk