The weather doesn’t look great for the Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting, as there is plenty of rain forecast. Therefore it will be important to keep soft ground horses on side. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a few big-priced winners on the card.
1.50 Newmarket – Fair Point (Win)
There are question marks over the majority of the field, but I’m going to take a chance on Fair Point for Ralph Beckett. Unlike some of her rivals, she’s coming from handicap company and will have to improve to take this prize.
However, I think the key to her could be the soft ground. If you look at her form, her best performances have come with ease, and she won well last time out at Ascot. I also think she’ll handle the Rowley Mile better than some of her opponents, as she finished third on the track on her racecourse debut. With the weight-for-age allowance, I think she makes the most appeal.
2.25 Newmarket – Sea Of Roses (Win)
Again, there were quite a few fillies in here that I am keen to take on, with the conditions likely to be against Time Lock and Mistral Star. Therefore, I landed on Sea Of Roses for Andrew Balding. She’s a filly that I can never quite get right, but last time out she won a Listed race at Windsor on soft ground. That day she beat Deira Mile, giving him weight, and he went on to finish fourth in the St Leger. Even though this is a Group 2 contest, I think she’ll find it easier taking on her own sex. For me, she has the least to prove in this field.
3.00 Newmarket – Serving With Style EW
I think this is more wide open than the betting suggests. Therefore I’m going with the outsider of the field, Serving With Style for Karl Burke. It’s been well documented about how well Karl Burke’s two-year-olds have done in 2024, and they are still continuing to thrive.
This daughter of Mohaather was last seen finishing a well-held seventh in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. However, that race was over 1m, and I think she’ll be suited returning to 7f. If you look at her pedigree, she’s a half sister to Sir Boris, who was a useful sprinter on soft ground for Tom Dascombe, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she followed in his footsteps. Furthermore, all her form has come on testing ground, which will be an advantage for her in this race. In my opinion, she shouldn’t be overlooked on the second of the Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting.
3.35 Newmarket – Ice Max (Win)
A trappy race, but my preference is going to be for Ice Max. The three-year-old gelding was a good winner at Goodwood the last time we saw him beating Poker Face. That day he was returning from a short break, and he looked as good as ever. To be at his best he needs a soft surface, so the forecast rain will really suit him. He’s also got stamina for 1m2f, so if it does turn into a slog that shouldn’t be an issue for him. I think he’s got a lot in his favour.
Any Other Business
4.45 Newmarket – Military Academy (Win)
John and Thady Gosden have had a quiet season by their usually high standards, but Military Academy could be a shining light for them to look forward to. The three-year-colt is unbeaten in his two runs, and has bolted up at Hamilton and Salisbury on soft ground. If you look at the form of his debut win at Hamilton then you’ll see that the form has worked out well, as the second The Reverend won a valuable pot at Ascot. This will be a step up for him, but I think he’s got a bit of star quality. He’s the horse I’m most looking forward to watching at the Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting on Friday.
