Irish Cambridgeshire: vital clues to help you crack the big handicap

Tote Irish Cambridgeshire (Premier Handicap) | 1m | 3yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

It is a typically competitive edition of one of the season's big mile handicaps, with the 26-runner line-up including two British challengers – the David O'Meara-trained Hortzadar, a winner at Ripon last time, and Richard Fahey's Zap, who landed a big pot at Leopardstown last season.

First run in 1921, the race has been won only twice by British raiders and not since Grangemore was successful in 1937.

With four runners, Dublin-based trainer Ado McGuinness fields the biggest team as he bids to land the prize for the first time.

His Saltonstall, winner of the Colm Quinn BMW Mile at the Galway festival in July, is chasing another major prize and is joined by stablemates Sirjack Thomas, Aussie Valentine and Current Option in the line-up.

What do the stats say?

Kenya become only the third three-year-old to win the race this century when victorious last year. Aidan O'Brien, who trained last year's winner, is represented by Turnberry Isle, who is one of eight three-year-olds this time around.

Also representing the younger generation are Numerian, On A Session, Cosmic Horizon, Madam Seamstress, Current Option, Kattani and Wee Jim.

No favourite has been successful since Silverware won for Pat Hughes at odds of 9-1 in 2000.

Psychedelic Funk, who heads the weights on 9st 12lb, will be bidding to give Ger Lyons a second win in the race which he landed with Sea Wolf in 2016. Psychedelic Funk and Kattani, one of two runners for Dermot Weld, are the only handicap debutants in the race.

What do the trainers say?

David O'Meara, trainer of Hortzadar
He's in great form and won well at Ripon last time. I'm hoping the ground won't dry out too much but he should have a good chance.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Onlyhuman
He ran very well in a Listed race at Killarney last time and is in very good form. Any rain they might get would be welcome.

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Saltonstall, Sirjack Thomas, Aussie Valentine and Current Option
Saltonstall has been in great form since Galway, where he won the BMW Mile and was unlucky there later in the week. He's been working very well and we're looking forward to a big run. There has to be a doubt about Sirjack Thomas getting the trip. He won comfortably at Sligo last time and we're just hoping he'll stay. Aussie Valentine has been to the Curragh so often that he could drive the box there. He loves the place and is in good order. We were delighted with Current Option's run at Cork on his first start for us. He's at the right end of the weights and should have a decent chance.

Turnberry Isle: represents Aidan O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Turnberry Isle
He's in good form and we think he is progressing. A mile seems to suit him well.

Sheila Lavery, trainer of Quizical
He's in great form but we're hoping they get some rain. He handles good ground but is best with an ease.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Jassaar and Kattani
Jassaar has some good form to his credit and I'm expecting a very good run from him. Kattani is a course-and-distance winner but this will be a bigger test for him and, as he appreciates genuine good ground, we don't want to see much rain.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Numerian, Equitant and Cosmic Horizon
Numerian ran very well in good handicaps at Royal Ascot and Galway on his last two starts and has to have a good chance. Equitant ran a good race at Killarney last time. He's well but has what looks a bad draw. Cosmic Horizon appeared unlucky when losing narrowly at Roscommon last time. We're trying blinkers and he has his chance off a low weight.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Yuften
He ran a super race from a bad draw when third at Galway last time and Joey [Sheridan]'s 7lb claim will help him. He's in great nick and deserves a shot at a big pot.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Zap
He's been struggling a bit to find his form but he has gone down the handicap for it. He ran better last time but is going to need to bounce back to his best form.

Ice Cold In Alex (light blue): will be prominent in the marketCredit: Caroline Norris

Ken Condon, trainer of Ice Cold In Alex
Seven furlongs is probably his optimum trip but he's been very consistent this year and hasn't always had the best of luck. He's in very good form and, hopefully, things will fall his way.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Innamorare
Coming back to a mile should suit her as a mile and a quarter is probably a bit far for her. She's been very consistent and I give her a good each-way chance.

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