Twenty years ago, almost to the day, Frankie Dettori rode all seven winners at Ascot and cost the bookies a collective fortune. The durable Italian can mark the anniversary with success in Saturday’s big betting race, the Cambridgeshire, in which his mount, Bravo Zolo (4.10), has an obvious chance.
From the Jeremy Noseda yard which has had a quiet year but is now back among the winners, Bravo Zolo ran a huge race when last seen, finishing second in the Lincoln all the way back in April. Noseda’s plan since then appears to have been to come straight here. He reported at the start of this month that the horse was on target and the only thing left on his wish list was a dry surface, in contrast to what he had at Doncaster.
A dry surface is certainly what he will get, with the ground appearing rather on the quick side at Newmarket this week. From a mark just 2lb higher than in the Lincoln, Bravo Zolo makes plenty of appeal at 14-1.
2.20 Newmarket With the two market-leaders having got turned over at odds-on last time, this could be a good opportunity for the hardy and progressive Montataire, winner of four races since late June and beaten only once in that time. The single reverse came when a wide draw at Goodwood prevented him from getting to the front but he resumed his progress when stepped up to this mile, landing a Listed prize at Salisbury last time. There is no guarantee he will get his own way in front but it will take a good one to stay with him in the last quarter-mile.
2.35 Market Rasen Nothing in this field is improving like Red Tornado, Dan Skelton’s four-year-old coming here in pursuit of a sixth straight success. The chestnut won a similarly valuable contest over this course and distance in July when last seen and probably has more to offer.
2.55 Newmarket With blistering pace Lady Aurelia will be helped by the fast ground but her odds look short enough, considering there is some quality in opposition and she will be thoroughly tested over this stiff six furlongs. Queen Kindly is a significant opponent but perhaps Roly Poly is being unfairly overlooked at 6-1. Aidan O’Brien’s filly was giving 3lb to Queen Kindly when beaten three parts of a length by her at York last time, whereas they meet at levels here. Ryan Moore returns to her saddle, having been sidelined by injury that day.
3.10 Market Rasen There are a couple of more obvious ones but much may be said for Princeton Royale, who has made a good start over fences and still looks very fairly treated for this venture into handicaps. He is only 4lb higher than the mark from which he won over hurdles in October and now tries blinkers for the first time, having responded well to the fitting of a visor. The fortunes of his trainer, Neil King, have been firmly on the up in recent winters and his runner here looks overpriced at 16-1.
3.30 Newmarket I have a feeling that we may all be punished for letting an Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore runner go off at 9-1 in a juvenile Group One but I am not entirely convinced Peace Envoy is up to this. Yes, he got within a length of Lady Aurelia in the Morny last month but that may put the quality of that race in perspective, considering he had twice come up short in Group Twos in June. Blue Point looks a legitimate favourite in light of his Gimcrack romp, which was a convincing step forward on his Richmond Stakes second to Mehmas.
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