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Preview
06 October 2007
The Totesport Cambridgeshire
Heritage Handicap Class 2 (3yo+) 9F Good
An ultra Competitive handicap run over nine furlongs that has to
be up there with the Royal Hunt cup in competitiveness. There's a
good mixture of improving sorts icoupled with the usual brigade of
also runs in this handicap who have yet to reach the top and are
very much are exposed at this level. The Lincoln winner Very Wise
falls into the latter category, having struggled since landing the
opening season handicap at Newcastle from Rio Riva.
Very Wise ran a rather pleasing prep for this race at the Western
meeting last time over 10 furlongs and will benefit for this drop in
slight trip to nine furlongs over a stiff galloping track. Sure to
run his race with big field experience he is sure to make a bid to
win this race with two furlongs to go. Whether he has the ability to
put his rivals to the sword remains to be seen, as he is still 4lbs
higher then the success at the start of the season. There are plenty
of progressive horses in this field with The Illes finally finding
his feet this season after finishing 4th at the July course back in
July. A run of 3 straight wins was finished off with an all out
victory at Doncaster in which the proven Metropolitan Man ran him
down at the finish. Looking like he is coming to the end of his
progression the 4lbs penalty may just be enough to stop him on a
track that hasn't been ideal for him in the past and the swap in
jockey to Darryl Holland isn't certain to bring any further
advantage to the horse and others are more fancied in my view today.
Seabow from the Godolphin stable has been lightly campaigned this
season and has given the miss to a few handicaps recently maybe with
half a eye on this handicap today. Dropping back in trip after
winning over 10 furlongs the form of that run was franked by the 2nd
making all and he could well find more improvement for this shorter
trip and the freshness he has in his locker. Ease in the ground
would most probably be the best for this horse and there are some
concerns over the conditions of the track today.
Luca Cumani looks to have a strong hand in this race today and
Johnny Murtagh has been a solid booking this season in big races for
the Irish and his addition to the highly progressive Monte Alto is
eye catching despite the struggle to do the weight this season.
Winner at Newbury last time he came from last to first in good style
and was produced at the right time having previously been caught on
the line by Teslin in a heritage handicap at Beverley previously.
Likely to reverse that form on similar terms a big field with a
stiff finish should help him to produce his finishing kick and looks
the most solid option today for a place. The 2nd string has a
brilliant jockey booking in Philip Robinson who will get maxium
assistance from River Timber today a horse that does pull out more
when asked after travelling so well in his races, this track will
suit based on the performances I have seen at Ascot and is another
to treat with maximum respect in this handicap today. Pipedreamer a
dual Goodwood winner has strong local connections and is for a
trainer whose Newmarket based stable has had rich fortune at this
track in recent seasons. Not sure how good this horse will end up
being he could well turn out to be a Goodwood specialist who should
be earmarked for pattern races next term.
Fremen leads the charge for the more exposed handicappers in this
field and comes here very much in form, trained by a trainer who
makes his name in handicaps he has been targeted at this race since
returning to form and could run a big race in this handicap today,
as to coming out on top it would be a disappointment of a great race
if there wasn't something more progressive at a younger age to come
out on top but his backers can take heart that he does stay in form
well when finding his feet and he clearly is in top form at present.
Raptor is a interesting runner for Karl Burke and be interested to
see more of this horse today for future engagements at the northern
tracks and lower class of races, while Gay Kellaway form at this
track gives some outside hope to Ballinteni. Champion trainer Sir
Michael Stoute runs his consistent Greek Well in this handicap but
it looks one too many trips to the well in my view while Night Cru
always gives his running at this track and is one at bigger odds who
could go well for Willie Supple today.
Docofthebay is a very consistent performer for the Osbourne yard
is the last one I will touch on this ultra competitive handicap and
this horse has a lot of character about him and ran a cracker at
Ascot just 7 days ago behind a shock winner (track bias) and the
highly progressive Shevchenko who was very unlucky. Well weighted in
this handicap with 8stone 8lbs on his back and Richard Hughes
despite his knocker a big race specialist in the saddle he has
another good chance to continue his form of running well in
handicaps and should have enough turn around in the weights to
reverse the form with The Illes here despite the lack of class
between the rivals. Has improved well since finishing 3rd over
course and distance back in May of this year.
Selection –
Monte Alto 2pts
win @ 7-1 (7-1BF)
Well Chief
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