It’s Cambridgeshire Day at Newmarket and HQ hosts one of the best days of flat racing you’ll likely see anywhere. It all kicks off with the 1:50 which is the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes and think this one-mile contest can go to the Andrew Balding trained KAMEKO who’s the mount of Oisin Murphy. He was last seen when staying on very strongly to finish second in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown and I think there’s a lot more to come from this colt by Kitten’s Joy. A bold showing is very likely. The main dangers here look to be Highland Chief for Paul Cole and the William Haggas trained Surf Dancer.
We move onto the second race on the card which takes place at 2:25 and it’s the first Group 1 of the afternoon which is the Cheveley Park Stakes over six furlongs. I think this looks to be another top-level success for Frankie Dettori as I find it hard to look past the Mark Johnston trained RAFFLE PRIZE here who arrives here on the back of a fine campaign which culminated when not far behind Earthlight in Group 1 company the last day in France. Also a Royal Ascot winner as well as winning a Group 2 here at the July meeting I think he’ll take the world of beating if turning up on song here. Tropbeau looks the chief threat for Andre Fabre, the french raider travels here chasing a four-timer. A mention also should go to the Aidan O’Brien trained Etoile who achieved the very goal of winning a group race on debut.
It’s another Group 1 race next and this is one of the races of the season in my opinion which is none other than the Middle Park Stakes. An absolutely fascinating renewal of the race see’s the very smart french raider Earthlight head affairs for Andre Fabre who comes here defending an unbeaten record. He was last seen when lowering the colours of Raffle Prize in France within Group 1 company and is very much the one to beat here under Mickael Barzalona. Joining him at the top of the market is Richard Hannon’s Mums Tipple who’s the ride of Oisin Murphy. I was at York last time and he put in one of the most visually impressive performances I’ve ever seen. Connections have since turned down a three million pound bid and he could well be something special. I’ve taken both of the big two on though here and sided with the Irish challenger SISKIN for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane. I’ve become a massive fan of this horse this season and he arrives here with a perfect record which culminated with a win in the Group 1 Keeneland Stakes the last day where he beat Monarch Of Egypt who he’ll face once again here. It’s likely he’ll have to step up on current form if he is to get the better of the big guns here however he could very well be up for that challenge and I certainly won’t be deserting him.
Concluding my Newmarket content for the week is the Cambridgeshire itself at 3:40 and I’m going to dive in with my selection here in this cruel mistress of a heritage handicap and that’s the Jedd O’Keeffe trained JAZEEL who’s set to be ridden by Jamie Spencer. He won the Silver Cambridgeshire last year and arrives here having had a solid campaign throughout the summer running consistent races throughout. Things will have to fall right for him here but if turning up on song as he so often does he certainly has a chance. Le Don De Vie and Lord North look the more obvious ones which is reflected in the betting and one that could feature at a price is Another Touch for Richard Fahey who looks to of been prepped with this in mind for some time.
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