The middle day of Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire Meeting comes up on Friday afternoon and there’s a plentiful helping of top-class racing action in store.
There are Group 2s via the Rockfel Stakes and Joel Stakes on the card, with action at Newmarket from 1.15pm-4.40pm on Friday. Watch every race – alongside all the UK and Ireland action – via live streaming when logged into MansionBet.
Our tipster has selections for all of Friday’s action at Headquarters.
1.15 – British EBF Maiden Stakes (7f)
AL JADDAF has shown clear promise in two all-weather starts for Charlie Appleby. The Shamardal colt was clear second-best behind a useful sort at Kempton three weeks ago over this distance and, assuming he takes to the turf, William Buick’s mount should be good enough to justify cramped odds in the opener with further improvement likely. Spinaround was placed in a Leicester novice on second start for John & Thady Gosden 17 days ago and looks the one to give him most to think about.
Selection: Al Jaddaf @ 2/5
1.50 – EBF Rosemary Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Listed, 1m)
Godolphin fire three at this, with Saeed bin Suroor’s pair Soft Whisper and Dubai Love entitled to go close on form and Charlie Appleby’s Wedding Dance back from a 13-month absence but very much respected none the less. FOORAT however was a touch unfortunate at York in July over further in this grade when finishing second and shouldn’t have any worries eased back to the bare mile. Roger Varian’s Dubawi filly is as likely as any.
Selection: Foorat @ 10/3
2.25 – Princess Royal Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 3, 1m4f)
The standard on ratings is set by Albaflora but, thus far, success in Group-race company has proved elusive for her. Forbearance had a few of these behind at York last month, though Domino Darling hasn’t much to find on that evidence, but perhaps PENNYMOOR can leave behind a laboured showing in that Galtres Stakes on the Knavesmire. John & Thady Gosden’s Frankel filly went there very much on the up after an all-weather romp at Kempton and, while she’s got improvement to find even on her best stuff thus far, it’s still very early days for her and she may have an each-way squeak.
Selection: Pennymoor @ 20/1
3.00 – Rockfel Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2, 7f)
Majestic Glory and Oscula come into this with the best form and are major players as such but both Girl On Film and JUMBLY are potentially smart fillies with more to offer. They’ve combined to win all three contested races so far and it’s Roger Charlton’s Gleneagles filly that may carry on that serene progress. She followed a Leicester maiden win in July over 6f with a smooth transition to 7f in a Kempton novice this month, cruising clear late on, and could have another chunk of improvement with Hollie Doyle now booked to ride as she rises in class.
Selection: Jumbly @ 9/2
3.35 – ‘You’re On’ Joel Stakes (Group 2, 1m)
Not seen since the 2000 Guineas here at the start of May but MASTER OF THE SEAS was only denied in a head-bobber that afternoon by Poetic Flare. He’d earlier won the Craven over C&D in April and he moved through the Guineas in the style of a still-improving colt. He had a minor setback afterwards and missed the major summer targets but he could quickly start to make inroads now. He takes on proven performer Benbatl in the same Godolphin silks here but the youngster may do best with a replication of his Guineas run.
Selection: Master Of The Seas @ 6/4
4.10 – Godolphin Stakes (Listed, 1m4f)
Placed behind Al Aasy and Albaflora at Newbury and Ascot early in the season at Group 3/Listed level, WITHOUT A FIGHT gained a willing success in a four-runner Haydock handicap this month off a mark of 104 for Simon & Ed Crisford. With that first success of the term under his belt, he may be good enough to get a first win at this grade in what looks a tough five-runner contest to assess as nothing has standout credentials on paper.
Selection: Without A Fight @ 3/1
4.40 – Handicap (1m1f)
Lots of chances in the Friday finale, with the likes of Glen Esk and Celtic Art seriously considered, but FIREWORKS was second to Derab in a hot novice over a mile here in May and William Haggas’ Kingman colt returned from a 106-day break to easily bag a Beverley novice (7½f, good to firm) last month having been gelded in the interim. He was entitled to that score but looks sure to appreciate this stiffer test now handicapping and an opening mark of 86 isn’t prohibitive.
Selection: Fireworks @ 9/4
*All odds correct at time of writing.
