The 2023 Cambridgeshire Handicap (3.40) is the feature betting race on ITV Racing this Saturday afternoon and punters will have in excess of 30 runners to choose from as they attempt to pick winner of the first leg of the ‘autumn double’ that ends back at Newmarket with the Cesarewitch.
In a field of such epic proportions there are some chunky each-way prices to be had and we’ve nominated three at prices of 18/1 plus below.
Cambridgeshire 2023 Tips
EW: ¼ the odds, 4 Places. Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone
HQ-loving O’Meara inmate of interest beyond 1m for the first time
David O’Meara’s horses are always worth a look in any big handicap and the trainer’s well drawn Bopedro leaps off the page having scored over a mile on the Rowley Mile back in April.
The ground may have been good to soft on that occasion but the seven-year-old proved himself every bit as effective on the good to firm ground expected on Saturday when scoring over a mile on the July Course in August.
Only beaten four-and-half lengths in an £80k Leopardstown handicap on his sole run since has to make plenty of appeal, not least because he’ll break from stall 28. The last five winners have come from stalls 21, 29, 25, 21 and 26.
Tip: Bopedro @ 16/1
Don’t overlook Cole family challenger due to last time out demotion
Paul and Oliver Cole bagged the Cambridgeshire in 2018 with Majestic Dawn to give Paul Hanagan an emotional first victory back after a lengthy spell of injury recuperation.
Majestic Dawn came home clear that day despite having been sent off 40/1, so it would be remiss to rule out the yard’s Thunder Ball, who looks set to go off at a similarly generous price this year.
A winner last time out before being demoted to second for causing interference, he may well have been priced differently had he held onto to that success – not least because Ouzo, who placed third went out and won a good Class 2 handicap at Ascot next time out.
Tip: Thunder Ball @ 40/1
Dolphin Vista band are back together with intriguing challenger
Freddie Meade’s name may not have been on the licence along with that of his father Martyn when the yard’s Dolphin Vista took out this prize at 50/1 in 2018, but he’ll doubtless have fond memories of the day George Wood steered then then-four-year-old to victory.
Wood has ridden in the Cambridgeshire twice in total, claiming a win and a place for his troubles and joins forces with team Meade, now a father and son outfit, once more in this year’s running.
The horse in question, Epic Poet, certainly has a suitably eyebrow raising profile, having been pitched in at listed then Group 3 level on his two starts for the yard, finishing last both times.
Previously with Jean-Claude Rouget, where he was a listed winner over 1m2f during his three-year-old campaign, it’s clear his new handlers believe that his old ability remains accessible. Gelded since his last run in April, this would be the ideal stage on which for it to make itself evident.
Tip: Epic Poet @ 66/1
