Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting Day 3 Tips
Newmarket 13.55 – Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2)
I’m going with First Law (11/4). He won on quick ground at Sandown and then heavy ground at Haydock, so he’s proven that he is pretty versatile.
He looks extremely straightforward and comes from a very good family. He also cost one million guineas as a yearling, so he’s not only got a good pedigree he’s a good-looking colt as well.
Charlie Appleby has released some really smart-looking two-year-olds and the ones that have stepped up to the higher level have been very competitive. We’ve seen plenty of good performances from them.
So I think First Law deserves the step up in grade once again and is an exciting colt for the future.
Megan’s Tip: First Law WIN
Newmarket 14.27 – Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1)
The Cheveley Park is a vintage renewal.
It’s not the biggest field but, my word, it is a strong lineup. I think this is the best we've had in many seasons, to be honest with you.
We’ve got two Group 1 winners there already in Sun Goddess (6/4 fav) and Senorita Bonita (15/8).
It’s so hard to split the field in general with nothing separating these horses – some featuring in the Duchess of Cambridge at the July Course.
Sun Goddess won the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh and the sales race at York, then came out and won again in Ireland in the Moyglare.
Meanwhile, Senorita Bonita went over to France and won the Prix Morny in pretty impressive fashion against the boys.
It’s just a seriously strong renewal.
But I am siding with Senorita Bonita... just. She’s had less racing than Sun Goddess and has possibly been kept a little bit fresher with this as the ultimate aim.
She's back against her own sex and I think she's just going to get the upper hand in what should be an absolute thriller.
It will be rather tight over the line and I'll be shocked if we see a particularly emphatic winner, because we've got plenty of fillies in here who are of absolute top class.
Megan’s Tip: Senorita Bonita WIN
Newmarket 15.00 – Middle Park Stakes (Group 1)
The Middle Park is also a strong field.
Inner City Blues (7/4 fav) has looked impressive so far but I’m going to stick with my boy Push The Boat Out (16/5), who I bought as a yearling. He was then breezed and sold to Michael O'Callaghan.
He won at big odds on debut in a big field at the Curragh before going on to win a Group 3 on his second start, beating Coventry Stakes winner Great Barrier Reef.
I think he’s a very talented horse with a great mindset – he’s very relaxed and nothing phases him.
It’s hard to know how good he really could be. He will also have learned and improved from the battle at the Curragh last time after having to drop his head and gallop out properly.
I don’t think it’s any harm that he breezed at Newmarket, so he has effectively been on the track. He’s very well balanced for a big horse and is very exciting.
I do see him doing better over further distances next season – but he’s certainly not slow. He’s got a high cruising speed and I’m going to stick with him for this year’s Middle Park.
Megan’s Tip: Push The Boat Out WIN
Newmarket 15.40 – Cambridgeshire (Heritage Handicap)
I’m going with Hand Of God (10/1), who was not beaten far in the John Smith’s Cup on his penultimate start and was a winner before that.
He was up in grade last time out over in Deauville and I don't think he disgraced himself in a race that has worked out really well.
Wimbledon Hawkeye won that day and then only just got beaten in the Irish Champion Stakes, so there are form boosts amongst plenty of his recent runs.
Him being back in a handicap here is fine. He's drawn high and I just think he's a horse in good form who's very solid.
He has won at Newmarket on the Rowley Mile track before – that was right at the start of his career – but I think there's a big race in him.
My each-way shout here would be Bourbon Blues (10/1) for Ryan Moore and Brian Meehan.
He won at Doncaster and was given a fantastic ride by Ryan last time – he only got up on the line.
Drawn a bit lower, this looks a nice placement for him. He's a strong traveller who can be quite keen and he drops just a furlong in distance.
In a race with a big field where they tend to go at a strong tempo, I think that will suit Bourbon Blues better than the setup at Doncaster.
If he can relax, he could finish well. He's one to keep an eye on flying up the hill. Once he's passed the Bushes and hits the rising ground, I think he could take off.
Megan’s Tip: Hand Of God WIN Bourbon Blues E/W
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
