This weekend’s Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting has plenty of decent horses competing, though the heavy ground has made things interesting.
Last week’s Ayr Gold Cup column found a winner with Sky Majesty at 5/2, but Whip Cracker and Relief Rally placing at win-only prices was annoying.
I’m not proud of the current run of form, so let’s hope a change of tactics alters results.
3:00 Newmarket – Bubbling @ 3/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
The performance of Formal impressed plenty at Leicester earlier this month, but Bubbling is a horse who can improve to win the Rockfel Stakes.
She is a full sister to Wichita who finished second in Kameko’s Guineas, third in Pinatubo’s Dewhurst Stakes, and third in Palace Pier’s St James’s Palace Stakes.
Bubbling bolted up at Galway at the end of July, and while the ground was officially yielding, the times suggested it was slow ground.
Oh, hello there 👀
𝐁𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 🫧 rises to the occasion in the @ColmQuinn_bmw @IrishEBF_ Fillies' Maiden @Galway_Races
The young daughter of No Nay Never, who holds a Debutante entry @curraghrace, looks another sharp one for @coolmorestud and @Ballydoyle 🔵🟠 pic.twitter.com/XTv9jQGAgE
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2024
On her latest start in the Listed Ingabelle Stakes, she had no route through the field under Ryan Moore for a long time, but once the gap opened up, she quickened up nicely to finish third.
Her pedigree and what she has shown on the track stacks up to suggest winning the Rockfel is within her capabilities, so I’m backing her today.
3:25 Haydock – Francisco’s Piece @ 2/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
Over at Haydock, the five-furlong Class 2 nursery handicap is competitive, but sticking with Francisco’s Piece on his debut is my play.
Having won on soft on debut, he took a step forward to finish second to Shadow Army (when giving five pounds away) who has since improved to a rating of 104 after his second in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin and fourth in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.
A first French winner for @adrian_keatley! Francisco's Piece lands Listed glory at @fgchantilly for @the_doyler… pic.twitter.com/rG3ymvF1i5
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 2, 2024
On his next start, the Mayson colt beat Convo on heavy ground in the Listed Prix la Fleche before too disappointing efforts in good Group races back in the UK on good to firm ground.
The return to slower conditions will suit nicely and his form stacks up.
5:20 Newmarket – Sweet Reward @ 13/2 with William Hill (2 places) – 1pt EW
Four of Sweet Reward’s six career successes have occurred on ground softer than good to soft, three of which on soft ground, so today’s conditions should suit.
Her latest win occurred at Goodwood in August 2023 off a mark of 83 in a Class 4 handicap when bolting up by five lengths, so his current mark of 82 is workable.
Sweet Reward stays on gutsily to take the Jackson-Stops Handicap!
A good ride from @HectorCrouch to win for the @jportmanracing team 🏆 pic.twitter.com/65Y2GjoWPR
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) September 22, 2021
On his two subsequent runs, he finished third in a Class 3 handicap at Chester from stall seven and then ran a good race in a Class 2 handicap at Goodwood.
Rhoscolyn (1st) is a Goodwood specialist, Hafeet Alain (2nd) won his next start, and The Gatekeeper (4th) won the Balmoral Handicap on his next start.
If back to his best after a disappointing effort last time out, his handicap mark allows him to make an impact.
