The Pep Talk – Cambridgeshire Meeting, Arc & Champions Day
Cambridgeshire
Crown Of Oaks heads the market for the Cambridgeshire, but he needs a lot of horses to come out, at the time of writing, to get a run. It could well happen, but I think it does create an opportunity to look elsewhere.
I think Sallaal is a group horse, no question. He is from a brilliant family, being a half-brother to Group 1 winners Benbatl and Elmalka, with his potential already on a trajectory to be as good as them.
He has won three of his four starts on ground ranging from soft to good to firm, so he appears versatile in that regard. Comfortably winning a decent handicap at Hamilton in July, that was a serious performance considering how hard they went.
At this point in time, he still holds an entry in the Group 1 QEII on Champions Day, so he clearly shows plenty at home.
There is a lot to like about this horse and his potential is huge.
Recommended Bet
Back Sallaal @ 12/1
Royal Lodge
Charlie Johnston doesn’t have many group horses at his disposal at the moment, but I’d say Ancient Egypt is one of them. He cost a hefty 1.1m Guineas and so he ought to have plenty of ability.
It took a little while for the penny to drop on his winning debut at Beverley, but once he figured out what to do, he lengthened well to the line.
It was much more straightforward on his second start at Goodwood, where he picked up the running at the 2f pole and strung the field out, always looking in control. That was a performance with loads of quality and he’s destined for group races. He’s a strong stayer at a mile and can race prominently, which is a plus on the Rowley Mile.
There could be some strong opposition in the Royal Lodge, but I think Ancient Egypt is pretty good if I was Charlie Johnston I wouldn’t want to swap him for anything.
Recommended Bet
Back Ancient Egypt @ 8/1
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
I don’t think there is much strength in depth to this years Arc. I’m not sure Minnie Hawk has been beating very strong fields and her stablemate Whirl was so disappointing in the Prix Vermeille and I think Estrange is overrated.
Byzantine Dream beat Sosie in the Prix Foy but again I don’t think Sosie is a world beater. Almaqam was back in third who I could give a shout to at a massive price on deep ground, as that was his first go at the trip.
Ombudsman isn’t going to run and I’m not sure there is anything that will beat Aventure.
She was second in the race last season but hasn’t looked back since. She’s won 3 from 4 this season with her only loss coming to Calandagan, who also won’t be running in this. That form is top draw and the way in which Aventure won the Vermeille was seriously impressive – she absolutely bolted up.
On what she’s shown this campaign I think she’s got better and if anything can get the better of her, then they’ll win.
Recommended Bet
Back Aventure @ 4/1
Champion Fillies & Mares
I think this is a race that could cut up big time.
Of those near the top of the market, a few may not run. Minnie Hawk is going to run in the Arc, so I’d be a little surprised if she ran here too. Her stablemate Whirl is going to drop back down in distance. Aventure is going to run in the Arc as previously mentioned, Estrange will likely be the same, as will Gezora.
Kalpana has been a massive disappointment this season, particularly so last time at Kempton where she didn’t look to go through with her effort. The fact she hasn’t won this season, when she has had every chance to, is a concern.
Wardaah is a horse on the upgrade who is being targeted at this contest.
She has only had 5 starts but has won 3 of them, with the latest being the Group 2 Lillie Langtry at Glorious Goodwood. She travelled into the race smoothly before finding plenty for pressure to fend off Danielle.
Soft ground is a plus for her as she has won on it twice and she should get those conditions. Three-year-olds have dominated this too with 8 wins in the last 10 runnings which is another tick in Waardah’s box.
Recommended Bet
Back Waardah @ 6/1
Alex Peperell
