Simon Holt best bets and tips for Newmarket on Cambridgeshire day
Simon Holt feels there's value to be had in the Cheveley Park Stakes as he takes on the top two in the betting.
Recommended bets: Saturday, September 29
2pts win Uae Prince in 3.40 Newmarket at 16/1
2pts win So Perfect in 2.25 Newmarket at 10/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
UAE PRINCE, a horse who has always been rated highly, is fancied to come out best after a five-month absence in the 35-runner bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket on Saturday.
Lack of a recent run should not be a disadvantage to Roger Varian's strong-travelling five-year-old as he has won twice before after a break and just failed to stay a mile and a half when beaten by Grey Britain on this course first time out back in early May.
As in most of his races, Uae Prince cruised into contention that day and a drop to a distance shorter than he has run over so far, albeit a very stretching nine-furlongs, could prove ideal with cheek pieces fitted for the first time.
Last season, Andrea Atzeni's mount (the jockey having discarded leading form fancy Sharja Bridge) was only worn down close home in the John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f) and then suffered a luckless passage from the back of the field when fourth again in a hot handicap at Goodwood.
Those efforts suggest Uae Prince has a big handicap in him, and this could be it.
Stable-companion Sharja Bridge would have been a difficult horse for Atzeni to turn away from after his good second to Oasis Charm over the course and distance in May (Third Time Lucky third, Tricorn eighth) and, more recently, a creditable fourth at York's Ebor meeting behind Poet's Society and the re-opposing Kynren.
The latter had previously finished third in this year's John Smiths Cup, form that has been well advertised since by Thundering Blue (second), Titus (fourth) and Brorocco (fifth).
Another strong traveller, Kynren also looks capable of winning a big handicap but could be a shade flaky at the business end. William Buick is charged this time with keeping his mind on the job when it matters.
What's The Story, sixth to Euchen Glen in that John Smith's Cup and fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup earlier in the season, is one that could out-run his odds while the William Haggas pair Alfarris and Seniority both have strong credentials too.
Alfarris has done little wrong and gets a 5lb pull at the weights for finishing second to Pivoine at York last month when he probably had excuses. This trip could prove ideal and, despite going up 20lb in the handicap this season, he looks sure to go well in the hands of Jim Crowley.
Seniority managed to find a way through heavy traffic to win the Golden Mile at Goodwood but then ran a bit below par when sixth at York behind Lord Glitters, albeit at Group Three level over this trip. Back in handicap company, he too has leading claims among many.
Finally, don't rule out another decent effort from 2015 winner Third Time Lucky who also finished fourth here a year later.
Richard Fahey's fine stable-servant won two starts back and is handicapped to go close again, though his chance would be improved by some unlikely easing of the ground.
Earlier, amongst three fascinating two-year-old races, SO PERFECT looks good value in the Group One Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.
Aidan O'Brien's daughter of Scat Daddy has, with the exception of an odds-on blip at Naas in May, had a consistent first season finishing a close fourth behind Signora Cabello and Gossamer Wings in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and then winning a Group Three at The Curragh from subsequent Moyglare winner Skitter Scatter.
A more recent second to the smart colt Advertise at Group One level in the Phoenix Stakes suggests progress is ongoing and that she may have little to find with old rivals Pretty Pollyanna and Signora Cabello, who fought out last month's Prix Morny at Deauville, and the Moyglare runner-up Lady Kaya.
Meanwhile O'Brien's much-vaunted colt Ten Sovereigns will go off at cramped odds to win the Group One Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes.
The son of No Nay Never has certainly looked smart in winning twice at The Curragh but the form amounts to style rather than substance and, had there been a standout rival, he might have been worth opposing.