Weekend racing preview: Goshen returns to action with Cambridgeshire the highlight at Newmarket

Two weeks on from the St Leger, the top-class racing continues apace this weekend as the exciting Goshen makes his eagerly awaited return to action at Haydock Park.
Goshen ridden by Jamie Moore. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesGoshen ridden by Jamie Moore. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Goshen ridden by Jamie Moore. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Set to win the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, he dramatically unseated-rider Jamie Moore with the race at his mercy. He remains one of the most talented prospects in the sport and his long-term aim is the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham back in March 2021.

He runs on the Flat for the first time since scoring by seven lengths at Nottingham over this trip in October 2019, having previously also won at Brighton and Sandown on the Flat. The four-year-old is chasing his fourth win on the Flat under Hector Crouch and takes on five rivals in the £20,000 Close Brothers Premium Finance Handicap at 3.45pm.

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One of the biggest betting races of the year, the £120,000 Cambridgeshire Handicap takes centre-stage at Newmarket who host an excellent card on Saturday. 29 runners go to post for the nine-furlong event which is live on ITV at 3.35pm. Tempus (6/1f) heads the betting for the contest and looks sure to go close having won his last two starts, which included an easy win at Ascot last time out. He looks to be well-drawn in stall 23 and makes plenty of appeal for Roger Charlton and Jason Watson.

Others who warrant a mention include Montatham (10/1) and Sir Busker (10/1) who were first and second in a competitive handicap at York in August, whilst John Gosden has won this event a record five times, including in the last two years. He saddles the progressive Al Rufaa (16/1) who will be partnered by Frankie Dettori.

There is also Group One action on the Rowley Mile with eight smart colts battling it out in the £220,000 Group One Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (3.00pm). Recent Gimcrack winner Minzaal (11/4jf) looks to provide Owen Burrows with a first Group One winner as a trainer, but takes on the unbeaten Method (11/4jf), who won easily in Listed company last time out for Martyn Meade.

Others to consider include Lucky Vega (4/1) who already boasts a top-level win this season in the Phoenix Stakes and was unlucky last time out when fifth in the National Stakes, whilst Supremacy (9/2) looked a future star when scoring in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

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Her Majesty The Queen is represented by Tactical (11/1) who needs to improve on a fifth-placed effort in the Prix Morny last time out, whilst The Lir Jet (11/1) looks to return to winning ways having chased home Lucky Vega in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last month.

The £220,000 Group One Cheveley Park Stakes (2.25pm) is another highlight which features the unbeaten Dandalla (3/1). She beat two subsequent Group winners at Newmarket last time out and has been given a nice break since.

Her main rival is Miss Amulet (10/3) who won the Lowther Stakes last time out, defeating Sacred (9/2). However, Dandalla looks very exciting and is our best bet of the weekend.

Two weeks on from the St Leger, Aidan O’Brien’s Dawn Patrol, who finished sixth in the final British Classic of the season, could return to action in the Group Three Loughbrown Stakes at Curragh on Sunday at 4.50pm.

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William Muir has also confirmed that St Leger third Pyledriver is on course to compete in the QIPCO Champion Stakes over ten furlongs on QIPCO Champions Day at Ascot on October 17 which it was announced earlier this week will be held behind closed doors.

Weekend NAP: Dandalla – 2.25pm Newmarket, Saturday, Group One Cheveley Park Stakes

Tips and analysis via BettingExpert

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