Nafaqa our best bet of the day to bring home the bacon
Published:Another weekend, another attempt to help you pinpoint some winners. And with Friday’s Lively Longshot Custom Cut going in at 15/2 (available at 12/1 at times), we are taking some form into Saturday’s action.
With the 35-runner Cambridgeshire Handicap the feature race of the day, that may be easier said than done.
Nevertheless with some top flat action from Newmarket as well as a couple of Listed jumps contests from Market Rasen shown live on Channel 4 there is no reason not to get involved.
And remember, back a winner at 4/1 or greater and we will give you a free bet up to your unit stake on all C4 races!*
Having started his career in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot by completely missing the break, yet running on strongly for fourth, this Barry Hills-trained colt has always been one to keep on side.
He ran out a very nice winner in a Listed contest at Doncaster last time out, and plugged on strongly, despite running green.
That victory, a ½ length beating of Toocoolforschool received a monumental boost last week when the runner up ran out an emphatic six length demolition of a strong Group 2 field.
This is Nafaqa’s first foray at a mile, having previously run at 6f and 7f, but being bred by Derby winner Sir Percy, you would have to think that a step up in trip will only eke out more improvement in this juvenile.
Aiden Coleman went through a bit of a purple patch last winter picking up a number of big Saturday prizes over the obstacles, and he could prepare for the cold snap ahead with a winner here.
Emma Lavelle’s charge drops into handicap company having competed in Group races towards the back-end of last season, with a 10 length win in the Group 2 Noel Novices Chase in December the highlight.
A step down in grade inevitably means he will be lumbered with a top weight of 11-12. But he has previously carried 11-10 to victory over hurdles, as well as finishing a close up fifth off top weight in the Pertemps Long Distance Hurdle at Haydock last year.
If he is fired up and ready to go after five months off, he should be tough to beat.
It would seem rude not to have a go at cracking the Cambridgeshire, and preference goes for John Ryan’s rapid improver (although Energia Davos might be one for trends followers).
Having opened the season running off an official rating of 71, five wins have seen the gelding’s mark rise to 110.
His best performance probably came last time out when landing a Listed race at Sandown, and still looks to be on the upgrade as is saddles with a 7lb penalty here, although apprentice jockey Joe Ryan’s claim caters for 5lbs of that.
He has form over further so should cope with the ferocious gallop, and the ground looks to have held up for him.
With Ladbrokes paying SIX PLACES in this race, it is hard to see a repeat performance of last time not returning something to each way backers.
All odds and markets correct of the date of publishing
