TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

15:40 Newmarket – The Cambridgeshire

Established in 1839 the Cambridgeshire takes centre stage at Newmarket today, often labelled the first leg of the Autumn double with the Cesarewitch, the race is run over a distance of One Mile and One Furlong. Open to horses aged three years old and over this prestigious handicap often attracts large fields, so much so that only once in the last decade has there been less than thirty runners. Recent winning trends are thin on the ground although those drawn twenty and above have taken seven of the last ten renewals and though last seasons winner returned at 50/1. Punting wise there seems to be a clear pattern of results, despite last seasons winner being 50/1 the overall pattern of the last decade tends to suggest those at 16/1 and under are likeliest.

Wissahickon has been popular amongst punters throughout the week and is currently vying for favouritism, the winner of three of his last starts he represents the powerful yard of John Gosden and has Frankie Dettori on top. Very lightly raced for a race of this nature, he could well have the required improvement to develop into a group horse though he did flop here on the July Course and this is by far the most competitive race he’s featured in so far.

Kynren deserves to land a big pot and arrives here on the back of a fine second at York the last day, tough and consistent he looks to have a favourites chance despite going up another three pounds. Alfarris often travels like the best horse without seeing it out, second behind the re-opposing Pivoine last time he has every chance of gaining revenge on these terms, however, he wouldn’t be one to totally rely on and probably needs playing at the last possible moment.

Very Talented defied a near two year absence when comfortably scoring at Chelmsford earlier in the month, that performance was quite taking and at the odds he is suggested as a speculative place player with improvement almost certain to come. Jim Crowleys’ decision to jump off Afaak in favour of Alfarris may well be a tip in itself, there are reasons to suspect the first mentioned may improve however. Moody when beaten at Doncaster a few weeks ago it has hardly come as a surprise that his connections have applied the first time headgear, prior to that effort he finished behind a few of these when sixth at York though he was plugging on at the end. 

Kenya, Third Time Lucky and Seniority are selected others with claims though in the hope of the headgear sharpening him up, it is Afaak and the aptly named Very Talented that receive our vote.

AFAAK (E/W)

VERY TALENTED (E/W)

ITV RACES:

13:50 Newmarket – Arthur Kitt (WIN)

14:05 Haydock – Yuften (E/W)

14:25 Newmarket – Pretty Pollyanna (WIN)

15:00 Newmarket – Jash (WIN)

15:15 Haydock – Final Venture (WIN) – NAP