The hat-trick seeking Kildare Legend is set to face 14 rivals in the Heritage Handicap Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket on Friday.
The son of Sea The Stars broke his maiden status at the third time of asking on the all-weather track at Southwell in July before scoring on handicap debut when stepped up to 12 furlongs at Doncaster next time out.
Kildare Legend is one of five runners in the line-up in winning form including Brioni, who is 1lb ahead of the handicapper after a 4l victory at Ascot last month, and Masar colt Mount Atlas.
Sun God was fifth in the Melrose last time out, Kamboo ran in the Epsom Derby earlier in the campaign, while Goodwood Odyssey finished ahead of Spaceport over C&D at the height of summer and the pair reoppose.
Grey Cuban tops the weights thanks to a success at this level last time out, although he is set to race off a career-high mark of 98 in Friday’s 16:10.
The latest Old Rowley Cup 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.
Old Rowley Cup verdict
Timeform: MOUNT ATLAS had Melrose-winner Tabletalk behind in third when scoring on Ascot handicap debut at the end of July and can make light of a 7 lb rise on his first outing since. Kildare Legend looks capable of better again on the back of his Doncaster success last month and is feared most ahead of Sun God, who failed to stay 1¾m in the Melrose but was prominent enough for a long way to think his mark is very workable.
*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
Old Rowley Cup 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Old Rowley Cup 2024.
Grey Cuban
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Jamie Spencer Age: 3 Weight: 9st 9lbs Draw: 10
Made it 3 wins from 4 starts since fitted with a hood when scoring at the Doncaster St Leger meeting (1¼m, good) under Jamie Spencer last month. Back up in trip. A really smart handicap performance will be needed to defy top weight here.
***
Imperial Sovereign
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 14
Drawn a blank since his AW debut success last December but he is useful, running with credit in a first-time visor (retained) when fourth at Ascot (1½m, good to soft) last month. His stable’s record in top handicaps recently makes him dangerous to rule out but his mark looks on the high side.
**
Goodwood Odyssey
Trainer: David Menuisier Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 3 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 3
Third win of his career when scoring in first-time blinkers at Goodwood (1½m, soft) in August but proved too keen when only a well-held fifth at Ascot since. The headgear is left off this time.
***
Mount Atlas
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 7
Form of 1½m Ascot handicap debut success at the end of July is very strong. It looks like he might saved for this race since and good shout for last year’s winning yard.
*****
Brioni
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 15
Has resumed his progress the last twice, triumphing by 4 lengths over 1¼m at Ascot (good to soft) 5 weeks ago. A 7 lb rise is fair enough but he wouldn’t be certain to benefit from this step up to 1½m.
***
Kamboo
Trainer: Richard Hughes Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4
Both wins on AW, producing a useful performance in a Newcastle Racing League handicap in August. That form is very solid but he couldn’t back it up returned to turf at Ascot since. While it’s a bit too soon to suggest he won’t prove fully effective on the grass others have less to prove.
**
Kildare Legend
Trainer: James Ferguson Jockey: Daniel Muscutt Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Promising son of Sea The Stars who opened his account in a Southwell novice before following up in 1½m handicap at the Doncaster St Leger meeting. Raised 6 lb but it’s likely there’s more to come.
****
Spaceport
Trainer: William Muir & Chris Grassick Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 3 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 1
Made all over 1¾m at Sandown in July but found out in stronger races over that trip since. This doesn’t look any easier now returning to 1½m.
**
Due To Henry
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 12
Made it 3 wins from 7 career starts when shading a tight finish over 1¼m at Newbury (good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Incurs a 6 lb penalty for that and he isn’t sure to benefit from this longer distance.
**
Highland Bling
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 8
Winner of a maiden at Fairyhouse in June. Better form when going close in a couple of 12.5f Gowran handicaps later in the summer but needs to shrug off a lesser run at Listowel last month.
**
Blake
Trainer: Peter Chapple-Hyam Jockey: Ryan Kavanagh Age: 3 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 13
Winner of handicaps over 1m and 1¼m at Sandown this year. Creditable 1½ lengths fifth of 10 to reopposing Grey Cuban at Doncaster (1¼m) last time. First attempt at this trip.
***
Trouville
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford Jockey: Callum Shepherd Age: 3 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 9
Won a Chepstow maiden (1¼m, good) in May. Bounced back form a disappointing first attempt in handicap company when 1½ lengths fourth of 13 to Kildare Legend at Doncaster (1½m, good) 29 days ago. May do better again.
***
Kitteridge
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Harry Davies Age: 3 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 5
Looked useful when landing a 1¼m Newcastle maiden in February but has failed to make a significant impact at listed level since and she couldn’t have been found a much more competitive race for her handicap debut.
**
Sun God
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: David Egan Age: 3 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 2
Only an AW nursery win to his name last December but has shown better form in defeat this year, shaping better than the result when fifth of 16 in Melrose at York (1¾m, good to firm) in August, fading late as of just stretched by the trip. Interesting back at 1½m.
****
Give It To Me Oj
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Luke Morris Age: 3 Weight: 8st 3lbs Draw: 6
Fairly useful maiden. Creditable second of 8 in handicap at Sandown (1¼m, good) 23 days ago. Back up in trip. Others are more compelling.
**
Today’s Racing Tips
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Lucky 31 for Chepstow
- Timeform’s horse racing tips for Chepstow
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for York and Newmarket
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