The Big Race: Cambridgeshire

15.50 Newmarket: Cambridgeshire Handicap 

Proud Chieftain

The Cambridgeshire is a hugely competitive race this year as always with many good and interesting runners but there are two horses that look well overpriced in my mind. As the pace should be strong it probably is an advantage to stay a bit further than the 9f and that makes Gabrial The Great really interesting here. He clearly is best over 10f, he goes well on fast ground, and he has an eye-catching recent performance to offer, when he finished 2nd to Ascription over 1m. I believe he can turn around this form in a race like this over the additional furlong, meeting Ascription on four pounds better terms as well. Gabrial The Great travelled like a dream that day, two weeks ago, almost on the bridle until the 1f marker, but couldn't quite cope with the turn of foot and pace of Ascription in the closing stages. Yet he finished the race well, came a good deal clear of the rest of the field. Nice performance, considering the slightly too short trip and with todays conditions in favour I think Gabrial The Great has every chance to run a big race.

Proud Chieftain looks a huge price but he's a much better chance than the price suggests, in my mind at least. He clearly stays ten furlongs very well, he handles fast ground, he goes well at Newmarket and his most recent performance gave me the impression that he's really well in himself and more than capable of running a big race of the current mark. He travelled very much the best that day, still on the bridle 2f out, but he was locked on the inside, with no chance to get out. He was soon after also slightly hampered, lost a bit of ground and simply had to wait and suffer. Over 1f out space opened up in front of him and he finished the race in good style, without getting fully ridden out. It's fair to say he would have finished closer with a clear run. He should give good account here today.

Nr. 18: Proud Chieftain @ 50/1 Bet365 - 1pt win 

Nr. 20: Gabrial The Great @ 25/1 Bet365 - 1pt win