Saturday 30th September 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where the feature race of the day this Saturday is the Cambridgeshire Handicap. I’ve got four picks from Newmarket to share with you all. So, as ever, if you are having a punt make sure to do so in a responsible manner.
1.50: Royal Lodge Stakes: We kick things off this Saturday with the 1:50 which is the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile and I like the chances of Ghostwriter here who represents the team of Clive Cox and Richard Kingscote and is currently trading at a best price of 5/1. He’s won both starts to date with his most recent success coming at Ascot where he clocked an impressive time on the day. He looks a very progressive colt and could be a very exciting one to watch going forward and I’ll take him at the prices. Ghostwriter – 5/1 (Each-Way)
2.25: Cheveley Park Stakes: It’s Group 1 action up next at 2:25 with the Cheveley Park Stakes taking the spotlight over six furlongs. We’ve got a competitive renewal of the race, however, I think that it’s all about Relief Rally who currently heads the betting for the team of William Haggas and Tom Marquand. She’s looked the part so far this term, winning four of her five starts including the Lowther Stakes at York most recently, and her only defeat to date came in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot where she went down by just a nose. I think it will take a big performance to stop her and she looks very much the one to beat here. Relief Rally – 2/1 (Win)
3.00: Middle Park Stakes: We see more Group 1 action next in the Middle Park Stakes for the colts and also over six furlongs. Aidan O’Brien has a fine record in this race, as he does with most top-level affairs, and I think he can add another to his collection here with River Tiber who’s the mount of Ryan Moore. He looked an exciting prospect when winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in the earlier season and far from disgracing himself within Group 1 company in France last time, on ground that may not have suited him. Back on a quick surface here is what I think he wants despite winning on soft on his debut, and he could well prove to be too strong for his rivals here for his all-conquering connections. River Tiber – 9/4 (Win)
3.40: Cambridgeshire Handicap: The feature race of the afternoon at Newmarket comes up at 3:40 and this is the Cambridgeshire which is a highly competitive heritage handicap that’s ridden over a mile and a furlong. Greek Order will be a warm favourite at the top of the betting, however, his odds are far too short for me in a race of this nature, therefore, I’ve taken a chance on Crack Shot each-way at 12/1 for Ed Walker and Georgia Dobie, who takes off three pounds. He comes into the race very unexposed and off the back off a win in a decent Newbury handicap last month when he beat some useful rivals in behind whilst looking as though he was still learning his job. This requires a considerable step up on his current form, but it’s likely that he’s got a lot more progression in him and he’s getting a lot of weight of most of his rivals. Crack Shot – 12/1 (Each-Way)
