Can the British-trained favourite end a 25-year hoodoo for market leaders in the Irish Cambridgeshire?

Think twice before backing the favourite in this traditional head-scratcher. A horse at the top of the market has not won for 25 years. 

With just 15 declarations, this race will have its smallest field since 14 ran in 1999. Less competition did not help the favourite that year, though, and 25-1 chance Seefinn took the honours.

This year's likely market leader Godwinson made little impression when attempting to complete a three-timer upped in grade at Goodwood this month, but his two previous runs this year had suggested he was a five-year-old on the up. He won the Lincoln by a nose on his reappearance and followed up at Newcastle off a 5lb higher mark.

The son of Saxon Warrior is 5lb higher again, but he excels in big-field races, the booking of Ryan Moore is notable, and if some of the forecast rain loosens the ground then he is dangerous, even if he is having to buck a historical trend. 

State Actor was denied by a head in the race last year and competes off just a 2lb higher mark. He has run over course and distance twice this year, building on an underwhelming return to finish just a length behind the winner Slieve Binnian when third the following month. 

The five-year-old didn’t excel when last seen at Leopardstown, finishing four lengths behind Slieve Binnian despite being better off at the weights, but his jockey put that down to the firmer ground. His two career wins have come over course and distance. 

Another big danger to the favourite could be Tokenomics. The David Marnane-trained four-year-old was progressive last season, winning three times, including at the Curragh, and he continued his upward curve with a win at Cork on his return. 

The faster ground at Ascot may have inconvenienced him when he finished down the field in the Royal Hunt Cup last time and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back here.

William Haggas: "One of the advantages of going to Ireland and running in a handicap is there's every chance of getting Ryan Moore [to ride]"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Godwinson 
He's a really genuine, lovely horse but I don't know what happened at Goodwood. He didn't show up. He's seemed fine at home and if we can put a line through his Goodwood run he'd have a good chance. A big field suits him and a nice pace. As long as the ground isn't firm or heavy, he'll handle it. One of the advantages of going to Ireland and running in a handicap is there's every chance of getting Ryan Moore [to ride].

David Marnane, trainer of Tokenomics
We wanted to run him at the Curragh a couple of weeks ago, but the ground was just a bit quick for him. He should appreciate the nice ground. He'll run here and at Leopardstown on Champions Weekend. He came back a little flat from Ascot, where the ground was too fast for him, so we freshened him up and he's been training well.

Gerard O’Leary, trainer of Bear Profit
Any bit of rain that falls would be helpful. He's in good form.

Bill Farrell, trainer of State Actor 
We're a bit nervous about the heavy rain that's forecast. We wouldn’t want the ground heavy. He went close in this race last year. We have him in a good place, so he should give a good account. Dylan [Browne McMonagle] is riding at the top of his game.

Stephen Thorne, trainer of Independent Expert and Pink Oxalis
Both are in great shape. The stiff mile and the ground should suit them. Independent Expert ran well in this race last year and we're just adding cheekpieces to sharpen her up. Pink Oxalis is still potentially well handicapped on the basis of her Oaks-weekend run, and she was unlucky from a bad draw last time. I couldn’t split them based on their homework and I think they have good each-way chances.

Gerard Keane, trainer of Genuine Article
He's in good nick. He came out of Galway well and has been pleasing us a lot since. He's ready to go and, with a bit of ease in the ground, he'll run a big race.

Read Saturday's previews:

2.05 Beverley: Sprint star Regional takes big drop in class - but Beverley Bullet specialist Clive Cox is out to stop him

2.25 Sandown: Can the Group 1-entered Blue Bolt continue her rise up the ranks in Atalanta Stakes?

2.40 Chester: 'We've had this race in mind for some time' - are the stars aligning for the consistent Tabletalk? 

3.35 Sandown: Charlie Appleby and James Tate lock horns as impressive debut winners clash in the Solario  

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.