23rd-Sept-2016

I am backing Mithqaal in the Silver Cambridgeshire, a good each-way race.

The Speightstown gelding had been progressing through the early part of the season, and he finally got off the mark when he landed a fairly lowly handicap at Yarmouth in late June when he stepped up to a mile for the first time, staying on well and leaving the impression that he could do even better over further.

He only finished third on his latest run at Newmarket’s July Course in July, but that was a messy enough race.  He was left in front from early and, after being restrained and taken back behind Red Tea, he just couldn’t get back out after her.

That race is working out well though.  The winner is now rated 11lb higher than she was that day, while the runner-up Misty Lord is now rated 8lb higher.

Mithqaal has been left on the same mark of 71, and that gives him a big chance.  As well as that, he has been sold out of Owen Burrows’ yard, to Michael Appleby, and he has been gelded since, so there could be further progression forthcoming.  There should be natural progression anyway, given that he has raced just eight times in his life.

He is one of just six three-year-olds in the race, and three-year-olds have a really good record in the relatively short history of this contest, having won four of the six renewals.  He has a lovely weight of 8st 3lb, we know that he can go well at Newmarket (the July Course is not dissimilar to the Rowley Mile course on which they race today) and there is every chance that he can improve again for a step up to nine furlongs.

Daily Bulletin, Brigliadoro and Dawn Mirage were the other horses on my shortlist, but I am happy to rely on Mithqaal.  If you can bet with Sky Bet, you should, because they are betting each-way to six places, whereas none of the other major firms are even betting to five.

MITHQAAL WON (ADV 14/1, SP 14/1)