The highlight of this weekend's Cambridgeshire Meeting at Newmarket's Rowley Mile racecourse is the Betfred Cambridgeshire (Heritage Handicap). For horses of 3-years-old and above, and run over a distance of 9 furlongs (1811 metres), the race makes up the first leg of what has traditionally been termed the "Autumn Double", (the 2nd leg being the Betfred Cesarewitch, which takes place 2 weeks later).
Origin of the Cambridgeshire
First contested in 1839, the race is now one of Britain's most famous and eagerly awaited handicaps. Renown for being contested by large fields, the maximum allowed nowadays is 35, which creates a stunning spectacle as they charge along the Rowley Mile towards the stands.
The 9 furlong straight course undulates throughout, running downhill into a dip at about a furlong out and then uphill all the way to the winning post.
The 2nd leg of the "Autumn Double", the Betfred Cesarewitch, was founded in the same year and used to be the 1st leg, taking place before the Cambridgeshire.
The Main Contenders
At the 5-day declaration stage there are 158 entries still standing their ground. In a maximum field of 35, there are likely to be many disappointed owners and trainers unable to run their charges.
The current going on the Rowley Mile is described as Good to Firm and with little or no rain forecast for the remainder of the week, the ground should remain fast.
Dare To Dance (6/1) - Jeremy Noseda's 3-year-old colt needs at least 9 of the runners above him in the handicap to pull out before actually getting into the draw. Up 7lbs for winning well over on the July course last month, if going to post on Saturday - he will shoulder a lower weight and shouldn't be too far away.
Questioning (8/1) - Comes from John Gosden's in-form stable that has saddled the winner of the Cambridgeshire on 3 previous occasions. Stayed on well to get 2nd place at Haydock 3 weeks ago and seems to be on a fair handicap mark at present.
Cry Fury (10/1) - Owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah and trained in Wiltshire by Roger Charlton, was disappointing last time out at Doncaster over a mile. This step up in distance should suit, but he is maybe still a little high in the weights. Richard Hughes will be in the saddle.
Man Of Action (12/1) - Godolphin trained and the mount of Frankie Dettori, he gets a 4lbs penalty for an impressive win at Doncaster. The fact that he is a 4-year-old makes a great deal of appeal (see race trends) and is fancied to run well.
Maraheb (14/1) - Up 3lbs for staying on strongly last time out at Haydock in August. It is questionable as to whether the conditions underfoot will be ideal for John Dunlop's colt, which may prefer some give in the ground.
Maqaraat (16/1) - Hamdan al Maktoum's 2nd runner, this time trained by Charlie Hills. Won his maiden very easily at Haydock back in June, but this is a big step up in grade.
Markazzi (16/1) - Sir Michael Stoute's representative struggled in yielding ground at York last month. Previously to that he ran well at Haydock, when all-out to beat Venutius by 1- 1/4 lengths.
Proponent (16/1) - Stable mate to Cry Fury, who just got up to snatch 2nd place in the Totesport Mile at Goodwood in July. To be partnered by Ted Durcan, the 7-year-old goes up 3lbs for that effort.
Red Gulch (16/1) - A winner at Glorious Goodwood and successful in the Betfred London Mile at Kempton, trainer Ed Walker is very bullish about his 4-year-old gelding's chance. Gets a 4lbs penalty for the Kempton win and is stepping up in distance here. J-P Guillambert takes the ride.
Sagramor (16/1) - Finished lame in the Totesport Mile at Goodwood in July and returns to the track after a lay-off. Before that, Hughie Morrison's 3-year-old did his best work in the final furlong, when winning the 29 runner Britannia Stakes at Ascot, experience which should stand him in good stead here. Nicky MacKay in the plate.
Albaqaa and Arlequin are both available at 20/1.
Race Trends
There are very few recurring trends in the Cambridgeshire Handicap.
John Gosden has won the event on 3 previous occasions with Halling in 1994, Pipedreamer in 2007 and Tazeez a year later.
It is noticeable that only six horses carrying 9 stone or more have been successful in the last 18 running's of the race. 3-year-old horses have only won 5 times in that same period and only 1 of those has carried over 9 stone.
Other Races on the Card
Saturday at the Cambridgeshire meeting is now one of the most competitive cards on the annual racing calendar. Not only is the meeting's feature race taking place, but there are also two Group 1 events in the Cheveley Stakes (for 2-year-old fillies over 6 furlongs) and the Sun Chariot Stakes (for 3-year-old and over fillies and mares, over 1 mile).
The card also features the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes which has been transferred from Ascot. Last year's running featured the brilliant unbeaten Frankel, winner of this year's 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
All these races will be shown live on Channel 4 TV
Morning of the Race Update
With no rain falling, and in an effort to maintain the Good to Firm (Good in places) conditions, Newmarket racecourses last evening watered the whole 9 furlong course with 3mm of water throughout. All entries mentioned above stand their ground.
Dare to Dance just managed to just scrape into the race, carrying 8 stone 9lbs and remains the market leader at 9/1.
Mahareb, although declared, it remains doubtful about his participation and he will most likely be a non-runner.
Richard Hills has chosen to ride Markazzi, as opposed to Maqaraat, who will be partnered by Robert Winston.
Conclusion
The Cambridgeshire remains as one of the flat season's most baffling puzzles, where arguments can be made for many of the participants. Man Of Action really took the eye when winning a recent Class 2 handicap at Doncaster and can shoulder a 4lbs penalty here.
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