Matt Markham has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the seven races at the Cambridge Harness meeting on Thursday 22 October below:
There’s been enough in the form of Arose (4) of late to suggest that a win isn’t too far away. Meets a really wide open field here and comes up with a handy draw. Stable is low-flying too, so ticks more than just a couple of boxes. Looks a strong contender.
Selections: 4-1-5-3-2
| 4. Arose (4) J: David Butcher 52426 T: Arna Donnelly | |||
| Given a freshen-up. Placed in 2 of her last 4 starts. Quinella-First4 prospect. | |||
The money has been on in all three starts back from a spell for Aldebaran D B (5) and while a win hasn’t unfolded, there’s been improvement in each performance. Shouldn’t be too far off breaking through and really finds an ideal set up here tonight to make a strong play.
Selections: 5-6-10-3-8
| 5. Aldebaran D B (5) J: Crystal Hackett 0x834 T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett | |||
| Bold performances as the favourite in last two assignments. Major player again. | |||
A deserved short-priced favourite off the back of some really good runs up in Auckland, Franco Salah (6) should be quite tricky to defeat here. Can do a bit of work, or is just as dangerous coming off the speed as well. Looking for a big effort.
Selections: 6-3-2-4-5
| 6. Franco Salah (6) J: Kate Coppins 32532 T: Logan Hollis & Shane Robertson | |||
| Tried hard in Auckland defeat 2-weeks back. Knocking on the door for a win. | |||
The absolute model of consistency in recent months, Shes All Legs (7) is doing everything but win a race at the moment. Has been strong in better fields than this and if she could track the speed and find the right way into the race then she’d be the horse to beat here.
Selections: 7-5-6-2-3
| 7. Shes All Legs (7) J: Peter Ferguson 43543 T: Peter & Vaughan Blanchard | |||
| Brings tidy Auckland form to this. Sure to make her presence felt. Top pick. | |||
He very clearly stands out here as the best credentialed horse, but Village Rebel (8) can be his own worst enemy at times. Grabbed a great trip last week at Auckland, but folded on the home bend. This is several levels below that in terms of class though so he can certainly bounce back.
Selections: 8-4-3-5-1
| 8. Village Rebel (8) J: Sailesh Abernethy 82527 T: Nicky Chilcott | |||
| Runner-up this track, trip & rating band 1Oct. Will meet with heavy support. | |||
As the winner of her last three runs, Hill Billie Bundy (8) looks incredible well in here off the 30m handicap. Trotting like a stag and beating better fields too. Some work to do but a quick beginning will have her right in the hunt from early on.
Selections: 8-7-6-1-2
| 8. Hill Billie Bundy (8) J: Peter Ferguson 23111 T: Peter & Vaughan Blanchard | |||
| Freshened after completing a fantastic hat-trick. Recent workout winner. Rates. | |||
Nice draw upgrade after some near enough efforts of late from Bugalugs (2). Probably needs to punch out and get to the markers first and perhaps hand to the right one but with a sweet trip and cold shot at them at the top of the straight he can definitely be hard to beat in this.
Selections: 2-6-4-5-1
| 2. Bugalugs (2) J: Chris Webber 75255 T: Chris Webber | |||
| Hasn’t been too far from the action this preparation. Needed for combo bets. | |||
