Big Price Each-Way Cracker For Cambridgeshire

The first leg of the “Autumn Double” takes place at Newmarket on Saturday courtesy of the Cambridgeshire (3.50), a handicap in which 3-5yo’s have been favoured down the years.

Lucky Fahey To Bag Another Big One?
One who fits that age bracket is Richard Fahey’s 3yo, Third Time Lucky (14/1), who was the subject of a big gamble throughout this week. With Fahey on the mark with another improving 3yo in last weekend’s Ayr Gold Cup, punters have latched onto this progressive individual, who boasts a similar profile.

Having won three on the spin earlier in the season, Third Time Lucky made it victory No.4 in emphatic fashion at Thirsk earlier in the month (1m, good to soft). Eased up to win by over 3l, this gelding couldn’t have been more impressive, and while he steps up in both class and trip on Saturday, he will be a danger to all from just 4lb higher.

But, what of the dual Cambridgeshire winner, Bronze Angel, who aims to make it a third win in the race? While this likeable 6yo is respected, he will be 9lb higher than 12 months ago, plus as a 6yo, he may also be vulnerable to younger legs…

Cambridgeshire Trends
Of the last 10 winners…

10 had 3-25 handicap runs – others were 0-78
9 were 3-5yo’s
9 carried 8st7lb to 9st3lb
9 won 1-4 handicaps
9 were non-winners last time – last time out winners were 1-53
8 ran in a class 2 race last time – others were 2-101
J Gosden and M Tregoning both won it twice

Gosden and Hopkins Respected
With John Gosden a trainer who knows how to win this race, his 4yo, Gm Hopkins (10/1), is respected, having already won the Royal Hunt Cup this season (1m, good to firm). He’ll need to bounce back from a disappointing foray into Group 3 company last time, where he weakened over Saturday’s trip of 1m1f.

Another local trainer with prospects is Sir Michael Stoute, who has booked the returning, Ryan Moore, for his 5yo, Abseil (14/1). Moore rode him when last seen staying on into third in a valuable Epsom handicap in June (1m, good), and Abseil won after a similar layoff last autumn.

Michael Bell also has the unexposed 3yo, Franklin D (25/1), who has been backed this week having scrapped in the bottom of the handicap, and has the retiring, Hayley Turner, in the saddle.

Irish Challenge
Michael Halford brings over his improving 3yo, Portage (8/1), who almost won the Irish Cambridgeshire last month (1m, soft) when beaten under 2l into second. He gets to race off the same mark on Saturday (up 3lb in future), while the extra furlong may also suit.

Ger Lyons also sends over the 6yo, Brendan Bracken (33/1), who likes these type of cavalry charges, as was shown when fifth in the Irish Cambridgeshire. He is an each-way possibility.

Recommended Bets
One of the interesting trends shows the poor record of last time out winners, which could count against some of these.

However, Donncha was seventh over 1m at Goodwood when staying on, and could enjoy this stiff 1m1f, especially as his dam was a 1m2f winner.

At a mouth-watering 25/1, he rates good each-way value.