Saturday 27th September 2025
NEWMARKET CAMBRIDGESHIRE MEETING (DAY 3)
1.50: Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes (Class 1) (Group 2):
We get things underway this Saturday with the 1.50 at Newmarket on Day 3 of the Cambridgeshire Meeting, and this is Group 2 action in the form of the Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile. I think this is all about Bow Echo, for the team of George Boughey and Billy Loughnane. He comes into the race having won both of his starts to date, making a big impression when winning impressively on debut at Newbury, before following up at Haydock earlier this month when getting the better of Publish in Listed company. That rival is likely to be a smart one himself, so the form of that race looks solid, and I believe that the Boughey charge could prove to be a special one. He’s the one they have to beat here.
BOW ECHO – 13/8 (Win) (NB)
2.25: Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes (Class 1) (Group 1):
It’s Group 1 action up next and the 2.25, which is the Cheveley Park Stakes for fillies over six furlongs. I’ve come down on True Love here, who represents Aidan O’Brien, and is the mount of Wayne Lordan. She won the Queen Mary earlier in the season at Royal Ascot in impressive style, and followed up with a five-length success over stablemate Puerto Rico in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh, and that rival has since won the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. She didn’t give her true running last time out when beaten at short odds in the Phoenix Stakes; however, she was reported to come back from the race lame. I think she can bounce back now that she’s back to full fitness, as I still believe she’s a top-class filly.
TRUE LOVE – 7/2 (Win)
3.00: Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes (Class 1) (Group 1):
The third race of the afternoon is another Group 1 affair, and this time it’s the Middle Park Stakes for the colts over six furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Wise Approach here for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He was second behind the exciting Charles Darwin in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, and followed up that effort with a decisive four-length victory over Rock On Thunder in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury. Most recently, he was only half of a length behind Venetian Sun in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville, and he sets the standard on this form. His connections rarely miss the target in big races at this track, and I think this is another one who should go very close.
WISE APPROACH – 11/10 (Win) (NAP)
3.40: bet365 Cambridgeshire (Class 2) (Heritage Handicap):
I’m signing off for the day with the big handicap of the week at 3.40, and this is the Cambridgeshire itself, which is a Heritage Handicap over a mile and a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Real Gain here at a decent price for Richard Hughes and James Doyle. He returned from a twelve-month absence to run a very solid race in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last month, finishing third of fifteen and just two lengths behind the winner, Rhoscolyn. He remains on the same mark here, and if he naturally progresses coming into his second start of the campaign, he could play a part in this. He’s also got form at the track, being a course and distance winner, and he’s versatile ground-wise, having won on soft and quick ground. I’ll chance him with the extra places on offer.
REAL GAIN – 12/1 (Each-Way) (6 places)
