How To Bet £20 ante-post on the bet365 Cambridgeshire

Trainer Sean Woods has made it no secret that he holds Savvy Victory in high regard, and his three-year-old looks to have strong claims of landing the bet365 Cambridgeshire on Saturday.

The Newmarket handler had the Derby in mind for his youngster at the start of this season and, while things haven’t exactly gone to plan, switching to handicaps has proved a good move.

The selection is a shade unlucky not to have won his past two outings as he was unsuited by how the race developed when narrowly defeated by Protagonist, who is another leading player for the Cambridgeshire, after making the running at Doncaster on his penultimate start.

However, he showed what he is capable of on his latest outing when scoring in fine style at Goodwood and impressed with the way he cruised into contention from last to first.

Patient tactics clearly suited him better there and, based upon the speed figure he produced, stepping down a furlong will not be a hinderance.

Woods has said his son of New Bay is not a definite contender on Saturday, but because the entries for the Cambridgeshire closed before his run at Goodwood, he will only carry a 4lb penalty, and I am hoping that will persuade connections to declare him. He will be 2lb well-in at the weights.

One slight question mark is that Savvy Victory has never contested a race with more than nine runners in, although it is wise to think this test will bring out the best in him, with a strong pace almost assured.

I am convinced we are yet to see the best of this strong traveller, and any rain that arrives this week will be a positive as he appears best suited with some cut in the ground.

At bigger odds, I can’t resist having a few quid each-way on Brilliant Light at a general 40-1.

Saeed bin Suroor’s five-year-old was not beaten far when fifth in the John Smith’s Cup where he hit the front two furlongs from home before weakening inside the final furlong, an effort that suggested the Cambridgeshire trip could be ideal for him, despite the fact he has never raced over shorter than ten furlongs.

He was also an eyecatcher when second at Goodwood off the same rating on his next outing as he suffered traffic problems at a crucial stage before finishing strongly into second.

His latest run at Yarmouth is probably best excused as a slow pace was against him. He wasn’t given the hardest time once it was clear he would not be winning.

The fast gallop will suit him and his efforts this year prove he is capable of being competitive off a rating of 97. His connections won this race last year with Bedouin’s Story, too.

£7.50 each-way on Savvy Victory at a general 12-1.

£2.50 each-way on Brilliant Light at a general 40-1.