Betting Tips and Previews: Horse Racing

Kenya - 2018 Cambridgeshire

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Aiden O’Brien Aiming for First Cambridgeshire Victory



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The autumn big field handicap circuit heads to Newmarket this weekend for the extended 1 mile Bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap.

Not surprisingly, it is a highly competitive field and some Ballydoyle spice has been added to the mix in the shape of Kenya, who was still included in the Monday declarations. We will take a look at the chances of this Galileo colt, as well as check out some of the big market moves of the week.

KENYA

Aiden O’Brien will be keen to add The Cambridgeshire to his illustrious CV of previous triumphs and Kenya looks capable of providing just that. The three year old is clearly what you may call an autumn horse. All his three wins have come in either September or October. His last two recent runs have been very eye catching, including a win in the Irish Cambridgeshire at The Curragh and more noticeably in listed company ten days ago at Leopardstown.

Reverting back to handicap company for this weekend’s Newmarket race, Kenya must have every chance of putting up a great performance considering he is running off a very attractive handicap of 106. Currently trading at a best price of 14/1 (Bet Victor) and this is probably worth the ante post risk: If he makes it to the Thursday declaration stage, he may well be favourite and at far shorter odds come Friday morning.

ALFARRIS

William Haggas’ yard is in fine form at the moment, registering 12 wins in the last couple of weeks. Their chief representative for this race is the well backed Alfarris who has seen his odds clipped from 14/1 to 10/1 in recent days. He is in great form too with a gutsy win at Glorious Goodwood in a decent handicap followed by a narrow defeat at York in a similarly rated handicap. Obviously the handicapper may have now caught up with him (he is racing at all time high of 104). Nevertheless he is consistent and very capable of improvement but this is going to be a highly competitive race. 10/1 is the best odds with Paddy Power and Bet Victor.

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AFAAK

This Charles Hills trained 4 year old comes into the reckoning based on some early season decent form including a win at York and an excellent 2nd place in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. This was followed by a defeat at Doncaster in a tactically run race, therefore the cavalry charge expected in the The Cambridgeshire may suit. Well backed already this week from 25/1 into 20/1 with most firms. If you are quick he still can be grabbed at the best price of 25/1 with Boylesports.

WISSAHICKON

The combination of John Gosden and Frankie Dettori is always a potent weapon in any event at Newmarket and this potentially exciting three year old is no exception. He really impressed on the all-weather last time out at Chelmsford, where he registered a confidence boosting runaway win in a fairly decent handicap.

However, he was firmly beaten in a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket back in July, albeit over the further distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs, so there are definite question marks about racing at this level. He has also been raised a pound from the Chelmsford win so plenty of improvement needed, although this is not out of the question. Widely available at 14/1.

BETTING OFFERS

It has been noted that some firms are offering 5 places for each way bets in The Cambridgeshire. Betfred are currently doing this so not doubt more will follow in the next few days. Don’t forget William Hill’s continuous “2 Clear” offer which pays a 15% bonus on all winnings where the winning horse wins by 2 lengths or more, in the form of Free Bets (a most generous offer... capped at a maximum of £100).

RECAP

This cavalry charge is a tough one to solve with plenty of top one milers in the mix. However, the class of Kenya could really tell in this hot contest and provide a first ever win for Ballydoyle in this race. The improving Alfarris is also a danger, however this race could be a class too far for the likes of and Afaak and Wissahickon.


BEST OF LUCK AND ENJOY THE RACE!

Jon is one of Howtobet4free’s co-founders and as well as producing content for the site also helps run the @howtobet4free_ Twitter account and Cheltenham Festival Facebook page. Jon works in Marketing and Communications in professional sport.

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