Steve Ryder previews this weekend's bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap, looking at previous trends, runners, and gives his tip for the race.
Cambridgeshire Handicap 2025
The bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap is the first leg of the Autumn Double with the Cesarewitch which were both established in 1839. It is run over 1m1f and is on the final day of the three day Cambridgeshire Meeting at the Newmarket Rowley Mile course.
Cambridgeshire Handicap Winners, Trends & Stats
Seven horses have won this race twice in history but the most recent of those was Bronze Angel in 2012 and 2014.
11 of the previous 12 winners had a rating of 94 or higher
11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 3 runs that season
10 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 3 and 5
9 of the previous 12 winners carried 9st5lbs or less
8 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 run at Newmarket
Cambridgeshire Handicap Runners Guide
Treble Tee- Progressive three-year-old who was an impressive 2 ¾ length winner at Doncaster last time off a mark of 97. The Simon & Ed Crisford trained gelding has been raised 8lbs for that success but instead gets to run here under a 4lb penalty meaning that he is 4lbs “well in” at the weights in comparison to his revised rating.
Fifth Column- Has won four of his six starts this season including a victory on July Cup day at Newmarket by a neck off a mark of 92. He was only beaten three lengths on soft ground at Goodwood before winning by a short head at York last time off a mark of 97 by a short head which earnt him a 5lb rise from the handicapper.
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Gladius- Won twice over this 1m1f trip in handicaps at Sandown and Goodwood prior to finishing 4th in a Group 3 at York last time. The Andrew Balding trained colt now returns to handicap company off a lofty revised rating of 106.
Fort George- The Ed Walker trained gelding finished 3rd at Goodwood prior to an impressive 3 ½ length victory at Newbury last time off a mark of 91. Although that was only a five-runner contest, he made all in comfortable style and is worthy of a 9lb rise.
Greek Order- Has contested valuable handicaps at Royal Ascot, Sandown, Goodwood and York since returning to the UK but needs to put a disappointing latest effort behind him. Has been dropped 1lb down to a mark of 96 which is only 1lb higher than when only beaten 1 ½ lengths in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.
Cambridgeshire Trainers To Watch
John Gosden has trained the winner of this race five times with Halling (1994), Pipedreamer (2007), Tazeez (2008), Wissahickon (2018) and Lord North (2019) with four of those coming from three-year-old age bracket. Trainers who are bidding for their first victory in the race are William Haggas (0-23), Andrew Balding (0-21) and David O’Meara (0-19).
Betting Prediction for the Cambridgeshire Handicap
Three-year-olds rightly dominate the market for this race and preference goes to FIFTH COLUMN (best priced at 8/1) who is trained by John (and Thady) Gosden who has won this a record five times including four times with three-year-olds. The gelding won a competitive 1m handicap on July Cup Day at Newmarket before running well behind Rhoscolyn at Goodwood on soft ground.
Fifth Column showed a good attitude to win by a short head at York last time off a mark of 97 and although a 5lb rise from the handicapper may seem harsh, he was short of room 2f out and value for more than the winning distance suggests. He hits the trends highlighted above and should run well.
