The Bunbury Cup is set to go off without one-time favourite Cape Classic
PICTURE: Martin LycnhHaggas resigned to Cape missing Bunbury Cup
CAPE CLASSIC, 7-1 clear favourite for Saturday's 32Red Bunbury Cup at Newmarket with Ladbrokes and William Hill until the weights were published on Tuesday, looks almost certain to miss the race.
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The William Haggas-trained four-year-old, who missed the cut when a leading fancy for both the Wokingham and Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot last month, is likely to suffer the same fate in Saturday's race, as with only 8st 6lb he needs 15 of those above him to come out if he is to get a run in a race with a maximum field of 20.
Even with mass defections he would be unlikely to take part, as he needs fast ground.
Haggas is resigned to Cape Classic missing the race and acknowledges that, without a penalty, the colt is also unlikely to make the cut for next Saturday's Betfair-sponsored International Handicap at Ascot or the two big early closing handicaps for which he is entered at Goodwood, the Betfred Mile and the Blue Square Stewards' Cup.
William Haggas: frustrated
PICTURE: Mark CranhamHe said: "He won't get in the Bunbury Cup but he doesn't like soft ground anyway. There's the Betfair race at Ascot next weekend, but he probably won't get in that either without a penalty.
"I just want to pick up a small penalty and was hoping he might get that at Yarmouth on Wednesday, but the ground is no good to him there so he doesn't run."
The Richard Hannon-trained three-year-old Shamaal Nibras, second to 'handicap blot' Trade Commissioner at Salisbury last time, is another fancied runner unlikely to get in. He has only 8st 4lb.
York's John Smith's Cup is also over-subscribed, as usual, but with the exception of Mark Johnston's three-year-old Hajras, who is third favourite in some lists but needs 16 above him to come out, most of the market leaders should make the cut.
The Elaine Burke-trained Media Hype needs only three to withdraw.
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