Liberty Lane is set to face 32 rivals in his bid to emulate last year’s winner Astro King by winning the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket off top weight.
The Karl Burke-trained gelding is 3lbs well in, according to official ratings, after a neck defeat at Doncaster a fortnight ago and boasts C&D form thanks to an impressive Heritage Handicap victory on 2000 Guineas day.
Majestic is the only other runner in the bumper field to have won over nine furlongs at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, but the six-year-old is winless since claiming the spoils in this race two seasons ago.
This Songisforyou was the antepost market mover after scooping a big prize in a Premier Handicap at the Irish Champions Festival and trainer Emmet Mullins has booked Colin Keane for steering duties once again.
Roi De France was the other leading fancy in the early betting for Saturday’s 15:40 and it would be an emotional victory for John & Thady Gosden if the three-year-old can scoot to glory like former stablemate and 2019 winner Lord North, who was retired from racing earlier this week.
The latest Cambridgeshire odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Cambridgeshire 2024 verdict
Timeform: Going softer than good is an unknown for ROI DE FRANCE but his stable has had a couple of 3-y-os win this race with plenty to spare in recent years and he gets the vote with further improvement on the cards. Bopedro is 9 lb lower than when third in this last year and it would be no surprise to see him make a bold bid again. Paddy The Squire and This Songisforyou are other likely types, while Mythical Guest shaped well behind the selection at Yarmouth and could go well at longer odds.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Cambridgeshire 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Cambridgeshire 2024.
Liberty Lane
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 4 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 4
Well held in last year’s Cambridgeshire but he landed a C&D win in May and arrives on the back of a near miss at Doncaster (1¼m) a fortnight ago. Can go well again if in similar form.
***
Teumessias Fox
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: William Carver Age: 5 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 19
Found a little more progress when successful at Kempton (1½m) in January but it’s been downhill pretty much all the way since and he needs to bounce back in a major way.
**
Coeur d’Or
Trainer: D. K. Weld Jockey: Non Runner Age: 8 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 28
NR
Dual Identity
Trainer: William Knight Jockey: Brandon Wilkie Age: 6 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 30
Added to fine Sandown record when taking 1m handicap in May and has remained in form since, posting a career best when second of 17 to stablemate Sir Busker at the York Ebor meeting. Ought to give his running again but he’s another 3 lb higher now. Finished third in this in 2022.
***
La Trinidad
Trainer: Roger Fell & Sean Murray Jockey: Aidan Keeley Age: 7 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 14
Has won 1m handicaps at Redcar and Thirsk (edged out James McHenry) this summer. No impact in a big-field handicap at the York Ebor meeting but he is running off 4 lb lower this time.
**
This Songisforyou
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 6 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 17
Has a progressive profile on the Flat, winning a 14-runner handicap at the Curragh (1¼m, good) 13 days ago under Colin Keane. Well backed during the week for a stable which has plundered a few big handicaps in Britain. Merits plenty of respect.
****
Norwalk Havoc
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 26
Very useful 3-y-o who reacted well to a first-time cheekpieces and tongue tie combination (retained) when narrowly denied in 8.5f handicap at the Galway Festival at the end of July. Will need a really smart handicap performance from his lofty mark but still can’t be discounted.
***
Balmacara
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton Jockey: Charles Bishop Age: 3 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 1
Pair of Doncaster novice wins came over 7f but he’s shown even better form when runner-up in 1¼m Sandown handicaps on his last 2 starts. This slightly shorter trip might suit him even better.
***
Penzance
Trainer: Michael Appleby Jockey: Non Runner Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 9
NR
Silent Film
Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: James Doyle Age: 6 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Useful form when winning in Hungary on final 2023 start. Some good efforts in defeat this season but he wasn’t at his best at Ascot last time. Stable always respected in good handicaps but his claims aren’t obvious.
**
Lion Of War
Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Neil Callan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 32
Useful in Britain in the first half of last season. Down the field in a couple of starts in the US at the end of last summer and a suffered a similar fate on recent Doncaster reappearance having rejoined Charlie Johnston. Entitled to come on for the run but still tough to fancy. Cheekpieces go on.
**
Silver Sword
Trainer: Dylan Cunha Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 29
Three-time winner (at up to 1m1f) last season. Recorded a couple of respectable efforts in listed races at the start of the current campaign but he’s struggled in handicaps the last twice.
**
Toimy Son
Trainer: David Menuisier Jockey: William Buick Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Chose a good day to open his account for this yard when a 2-length winner of the valuable Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood last month. Shaped better than result when fourth of 9 to Godwinson back there since, nearest finish after meeting trouble. Needs considering under Buick.
****
Godwinson
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 27
Fine placed efforts in Newbury and York in the first half of this year and returned from a 10-week break to win a 1m Goodwood handicap (good to soft) 5 weeks ago. 4 lb higher now but a lightly-raced profile provides hope that he may not have reached his limit.
***
Ron O
Trainer: Ray Craggs Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 6 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 37
Been a fine servant for his owner/trainer, winning handicaps over 1m at Redcar and 1¼m at York at the start of the summer. Has recorded 3 creditable efforts back at York since, on the latest fifth of 17 at the Ebor meeting. Not discounted.
***
Theoryofeverything
Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Jason Watson Age: 4 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 10
Has found his feet for this yard lately, winning handicaps at Hamilton (9f, good) and Ascot (1m, good to soft). Should be competitive under a 4 lb penalty.
***
Bopedro
Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 8 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 22
Losing run is mounting up but plenty of creditable efforts to his name this season, including second of 14 at Doncaster (1m, good) a fortnight ago. Third in this off a 9 lb higher mark last year. Interesting.
****
Andaleep
Trainer: Daniel & Claire Kubler Jockey: Mickael Barzalona Age: 8 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 3
Better than ever as an 8-y-o, winning 3 times this year. Runner-up on a further 3 occasions in July/August but his run of good form came to a halt at the York Ebor meeting.
**
Watcha Matey
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Non Runner Age: 3 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 12
NR
James McHenry
Trainer: Edward Bethell Jockey: Callum Rodriguez Age: 4 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 2
Won on 1m Carlisle reappearance and has shown better form in defeat since, finishing 2 lengths fourth of 18 in a valuable 1m handicap at the York Ebor meeting last month. No reason why he won’t give a good account.
****
Mr King
Trainer: Iain Jardine Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 4 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 33
Successful at Naas (1m) on final outing for Ger Lyons in June and has remained in form for new yard, finishing a close third in 1m Ayr handicap (good to firm) last Saturday. Effective over this far and on going softer than good.
***
Tolstoy
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Ben Robinson Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 31
Hasn’t always been the most straightforward but resurgent for present yard, completing a 7f York hat-trick in June/July and going in again at Newcastle (1m) last month. Had excuses when below par at Doncaster latest. His stamina isn’t assured here.
***
Bennetot
Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Billy Loughnane Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 6
Useful performer in France and capitalised on easing mark for this yard at Windsor (1m) in August. Solid efforts in defeat since and he’s one of a few from his yard who could play a part.
***
Navagio
Trainer: James Horton Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 13
A useful 1m/9,5f winner in Ireland. Excellent third in the Lincoln at Doncaster on reappearance and yard debut but hasn’t managed to build on that since. Headgear refitted. Others are more obvious.
**
Empirestateofmind
Trainer: John & Sean Quinn Jockey: Jason Hart Age: 6 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 23
This mark is an attractive one judged on his peak form and he showed a bit more than on his belated seasonal reappearance at Thirsk last time, for all that he again finished nearer last than first. Blinkers refitted.
***
Roi De France
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 25
Runner-up first 2 starts and confirmed those positive impressions when winning with plenty in hand at Windsor (1m) in July. Improved second when stepped up to this trip for recent Yarmouth handicap debut. Top stable has won this twice with lightly-raced 3-y-os in recent years. Tops the shortlist.
*****
Majestic
Trainer: Jack Channon Jockey: Benoit de la Sayette Age: 6 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 36
Won this in 2022 and good fourth last year. Added another fine effort over C&D when fourth of 13 at the Guineas meeting in May. Below par back from a 12-week break at Yarmouth recently but his record here makes him a dangerous one to discount.
***
Under Siege
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Callum Hutchinson Age: 3 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 35
Chased home Economics on debut at Newbury in April and opened his account when landing the odds in a 1m Chelmsford maiden last month. Shaped much better than the bare result (caught too far back) when sixth of 13 on 7.5f Chester handicap debut 4 weeks ago. Remains open to improvement.
***
Dutch Decoy
Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Joe Fanning Age: 7 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 20
Ran a cracker to fill the runner-up spot (to Toimy Son) in the Golden Mile at Goodwood for the second year running. Not in the same form twice since but capable of bouncing back (creditable sixth in this last year).
***
Look Back Smiling
Trainer: Gemma Tutty Jockey: Shane Gray Age: 4 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 5
Successful at Doncaster last October and picked up where he left off when taking 18-runner Spring Mile at that venue in March (both on heavy ground). Made a respectable return from a 4-month break at Ascot 3 weeks ago and these big-field handicaps do suit his hold-up style.
***
Crack Shot
Trainer: Ed Walker Jockey: Non Runner Age: 4 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 18
NR
Great Acclaim
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton Jockey: Rob Hornby Age: 3 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 24
Fourth 1m turf win of a very productive summer when seeing off 8 rivals in a Racing League event at Windsor last month. Progressed again when close second of 14 at Southwell (1m again) since. Another 4 lb higher now. This is the longest trip he’s tackled.
***
Paddy The Squire
Trainer: Iain Jardine Jockey: Andrew Mullen Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 21
Useful form at 3 (winner at 1¼m on heavy) and has shaped well when placed on both starts since reappearing after wind surgery. Leaves the impression he’s got bigger performances in him.
****
Mythical Guest
Trainer: George Margarson Jockey: David Egan Age: 4 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 15
Pair of 1¼m wins in the spring, the latter here. Shaped better than bare result when fourth in 9f Yarmouth handicap, caught too far back and denied a clear run. Could go well at likely big odds.
****
Waiting All Night
Trainer: Richard Spencer Jockey: George Wood Age: 4 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 34
Won twice on July Course here (7f/1m) this summer. Latest Sandown fourth shows he’s still in form but not obviously ahead of his mark now and also has to prove himself at this trip.
**
Ebt’s Guard
Trainer: William Muir & Chris Grassick Jockey: Tyler Heard Age: 3 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 8
Thirsk maiden scorer who produced a trio of solid efforts in defeat in handicaps thereafter, notably when runner-up at Glorious Goodwood (1m) in August. Respectable sixth of 14 at Kempton (1m again) latest. Wouldn’t be sure to benefit from this slightly longer trip.
**
Poniros
Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: David Egan Age: 3 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 16
Useful performer who has placed in ultra-competitive London Gold Cup at Newbury (1¼m) in May. Progress stalled on next 3 starts but he got his career back on track with a hood added when 4 lengths third over 1½m at Ascot 3 weeks ago. Drops back 3f in trip now.
***
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips at Newmarket, Haydock and the Curragh
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips including a 5/1 shout
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips at Newmarket, Haydock and the Curragh
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Cambridgeshire trends and stats for Newmarket 3.40 on Saturday
- Irish Cesarewitch tips and runner-by-runner guide to Curragh 4.25 on Sunday
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