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A MAGNIFICENT 35 runners nearly always used to go to post for the Cambridgeshire Handicap and there was also recently a Silver version as well. Last year 31 went to post, but 12 months later the field is down again to just 24. Really, for £175,000 up for grabs?

The whys and the wherefores are for another day, but one thing for sure is that it is a worrying trend for such a massively famous handicap at headquarters.

There is little doubt that the progressive three-year-old Treble Tee will start favourite following his comfortable success at Doncaster a fortnight ago and I think he got off very lightly with a mere 4lbs penalty. I suspect he will go off at somewhere near 3/1 favourite when you take in mind the esteem with which he is held by connections, but even in a much reduced field I am quite happy to let him win at that price and think that another charge from the classic generation will give him a run for his money in the form of FORT GEORGE (3.40).

Trainer Ed Walker has been in grand form all the way through 2025 and continues to churn out the winners, 17 per cent in the past fortnight, and in this son of Territories he has a very useful tool to go to war with. This youngster is also a really versatile charge who can race off or near the front or be held up at the back of the pack. He stays well, acts on all types of ground and is a three-year-old that we have yet to see the very best of. 

I thought that a 9lbs penalty was a bit harsh for his three and a half length win at Newbury,  a race that hasn’t really worked out. But he is a beautiful mover and I think he has a bunch more left in the locker. Of the remaining 22 runners, I think that Cash has a great chance of reversing the above mentioned form with Treble Tee while I can also see big outside Divine Knight outrunning his huge price.

Royal Fixation is set to confirm Lowther Stakes York form with American Queen and this stiffer track in the Cheveley Park Stakes will also suit, but I shall be having an each-way play if at least eight go to post for this Group One event on HAVANA ANNA (2.25). One of the more exposed fillies in the field, this daughter of Havana Grey has already shown a high level of form winning the Listed Marwell Stakes, named after that great filly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, and then was only denied by a nose by Afjan in the Prix d’Arenberg on very soft ground at Longchamp. Being back on a sound surface will definitely aid her cause here and a double figure price looks way too big for her.

As far as the boys are concerned in the two-year-old division, the opening Royal Lodge Stakes looks wide open. The much touted and indeed delivered on track in two races, Bow Echo will attempt to complete a hat-trick and his chance is there for all to see after a really impressive success at Haydock Park in a Listed contest. I loved the way he travelled through the race that day and seemed to be well on top of Publish at the finish. I make him the biggest danger behind PACIFIC AVENUE (1.50). Winner of his maiden at Newmarket, the son of the great Dubawi, to my eyes, didn’t have the run of the race in the Solario Stakes at Sandown Park after messing up the start.

I actually think that William Buick set him alight too early and his finishing burst came to an abrupt end 75 yards out, when he was passed by three other horses. I think he will have learnt from that ride and expect him to be held up for as long as possible here in an attempt to take the prized scalp of the George Boughey-trained market leader.

BRUSSELS (3.00) is surely much better than he was able to show in the big sales race at Doncaster after briefly looking the most likely winner at the quarter mile pole and the drop back to a bare six furlongs should be right down his alley way in the Middle Park Stakes.

But the best bet on the card at headquarters could well come in the form of PELLITORY (5.55) in the concluding seven furlong handicap. Despite pulling way too hard on his seasonal debut the James Owen-trained runner showed a cracking turn of foot to win over the course and distance in May. Since then, he has been disappointing on a number of occasions, but can be forgiven for several of those runs either on account of the ground or trying to take on the speedsters over six furlongs. I fancy that there will be plenty of pace on here and on this faster surface and if he settles, the top weight could prove an absolute handful coming out of the dip.

Away from the headline meeting of the day, it will be interesting to see how much the ground dries up at Haydock Park for the second day of their two day meet and if we get going good or quicker then I would be pretty keen on the claims of UNCLE DON (2.40) off top weight in the 0-90 six furlong handicap. 

Last year he was quite highly rated by trainer Richard Fahey, but never really fulfilled the expectations of his shrewd handler. Three runs this season in handicap company have also proved to be a wee bit disappointing, but following a gelding operation and a 96-day break there was plenty more to like about his never nearer fifth at Chester. A mark of 91 here with Oisin Orr taking over in the saddle looks eminently playable and I think he may be able to give the weight away to the likes of Topwarrior and course and distance winner and light weight Trilby.

Later on at the Merseyside track, off a mark of 88, I can see INTRUSIVELY (3.15) outrunning his double figure price under Ryan Sexton, while HIGH POINT (5.35) could be the call in the staying handicap which closes the card.

The best bet at Ripon could well be HIGH OPINION (2.50). The six-year-old is only 2lbs higher than for his last win and should have taken a major step forward for his comeback run at Musselburgh.