Saturday serves up an excellent afternoon of racing, with Newmarket taking centre stage on the final day of the Cambridgeshire Meeting.
Two Group 1 contests feature on a quality card at the Rowley Mile before attention turns to the bet365 Cambridgeshire, where a huge field tackles the famous nine-furlong handicap.
Haydock also provides some competitive betting opportunities, so we have picked out five horses worth considering across the afternoon.
1:55 Newmarket – First Law
Selection: First Law – win
The Royal Lodge looks competitive, but First Law could be capable of taking another step forward for Charlie Appleby.
He made a winning debut over a mile at Sandown before being immediately stepped up into Listed company for the Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. Despite encountering very different conditions on heavy ground, he maintained his unbeaten record.
That versatility is encouraging and he already brings a strong level of form into his first attempt at Group 2 company.
Burning Up is another unbeaten colt and deserves plenty of respect, while Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner adds further depth to the contest. However, First Law has done everything asked of him so far and there could still be plenty more improvement to come.
BackYourBet tip: First Law to win
2:10 Haydock – Trilby
Selection: Trilby – each-way
Trilby could be an interesting each-way option in this five-furlong handicap.
The six-year-old has been kept busy this season and arrives here following a respectable effort in the Silver Cup at Ayr. Returning to the minimum distance could suit him and his consistency makes him an appealing option in an open-looking sprint.
He may not have the most obvious profile for win purposes, but if getting the strong pace he needs, he should have the opportunity to make his presence felt late on.
With extra places potentially available depending on your bookmaker, he makes more appeal as an each-way selection.
BackYourBet tip: Trilby each-way
2:27 Newmarket – Sun Goddess
Selection: Sun Goddess – win
One of Saturday’s strongest races comes in the Cheveley Park Stakes and Sun Goddess is taken to continue her excellent campaign.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly has developed rapidly throughout the season and arrives at Newmarket already proven at the highest level.
She landed the Phoenix Stakes before producing another impressive performance at the Curragh, putting more than six lengths between herself and Green Empress in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Dropping back to six furlongs presents a different test, particularly against a high-class rival in Senorita Bonita. Libertango is another who cannot be dismissed after winning the Albany at Royal Ascot and the Lowther at York.
Even so, Sun Goddess has looked increasingly accomplished as the season has progressed. If she reproduces the level of her latest performances, she should be difficult to beat.
BackYourBet tip: Sun Goddess to win
3:00 Newmarket – Inner City Blues
Selection: Inner City Blues – win
Inner City Blues puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Middle Park Stakes and looks capable of completing the hat-trick.
The Charlie Appleby-trained colt made a successful debut at York before taking a significant step forward to land the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket.
This demands another improvement, but the manner in which he has progressed through his first two starts suggests there could be considerably more to come.
Orthodox provides a serious threat after winning the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier in the campaign, while Push The Boat and Marco Polo add further quality to a fascinating renewal.
Inner City Blues, however, remains relatively unexposed and gets the vote to successfully make the jump into Group 1 company.
BackYourBet tip: Inner City Blues to win
3:40 Newmarket – Harmonics
Selection: Harmonics – each-way
The Cambridgeshire is one of the toughest handicaps of the Flat season and a field of 28 makes finding the winner anything but straightforward.
Rather than siding with one of the shortest-priced runners, Harmonics could be worth considering at a bigger price.
The three-year-old was last seen stepping into Group 3 company in the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor, where he produced an encouraging performance to finish third.
He now returns to handicap company and the drop in grade makes him particularly interesting.
Gavriel is an obvious contender following his recent Ascot success, while last year’s narrow runner-up Indalo commands respect once again. Thunder Run also arrives in excellent form after winning at Doncaster.
Harmonics, though, brings a different profile into the race and his latest effort suggests he could have more to offer. With bookmakers likely to offer additional each-way places on such a big-field handicap, he looks an interesting option.
BackYourBet tip: Harmonics each-way
Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips
- 1:55 Newmarket – First Law – WIN
- 2:10 Haydock – Trilby – EACH-WAY
- 2:27 Newmarket – Sun Goddess – WIN
- 3:00 Newmarket – Inner City Blues – WIN
- 3:40 Newmarket – Harmonics – EACH-WAY
Best Bet: Sun Goddess – 2:27 Newmarket