The 2020 Cambridgeshire Meeting: Five horses who caught the eye in defeat

We saw some bright prospects over the three days at the 2020 Cambridgeshire meeting, including Isabella Giles who James Willoughby believes is a serious QIPCO 1000 Guineas contender for next year following her victory in the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes.

James analysed all the key races over the three days of action using sectional times, which is certainly worth a read.

Racing TV presenter Angus McNae also put the feature races under the microscope in The Verdict on Racing TV on Monday, and you can watch all the segments from the show here.

Below are five horses who caught the eye in defeat and are worth adding to your Racing TV tracker.

Race: Third in the Derrinstown Irish EBF Maiden Stakes on Friday

This son of 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach caught the eye when third having been slowly away and showing inexperience under pressure on debut and filled the same position in this 7f maiden won by Rainbow Fire.

The two-year-old appeared to become a shade outpaced after racing exuberantly when the field quickened but stayed on promisingly, and his future is sure to lie over further.

Crossford looks a horse who will continue to benefit from racecourse experience and is probably one for next year when upped in trip, but there is no doubting he has ability and is nicely bred.

Race: Second in the Eqtidaar Godolphin Stakes on Friday

Aloe Vera created a big impression when winning her first two starts in 2019 – including a Listed contest – but was absent until making her reappearance in this 1m4f contest which was her first start for 16 months.

Ralph Beckett’s charge has clearly had her problems – she was also a non-runner three times over the summer – but proved here she retains all of her ability and found only the 105-rated Walton Street too good.

It was encouraging that she travelled as well as the winner for most of the way and pulled over five lengths clear of the third.

She is almost certain to improve fitness-wise for this effort and is still only a four-year-old, so she can hopefully begin to make up for lost time with this run under her belt plus remains unexposed over twelve furlongs.

Race: Third in the Blandford Bloodstock Maiden Fillies' Stakes on Saturday

Having shown promise on her debut at Goodwood this month, Nebulosa again shaped as though she has a promising future when a never-nearer third behind Saffron Beach, who looks potentially smart.

The youngster – who has worn a hood on both her starts - pulled hard on debut and was also keen in the early stages of this contest, but eventually settled better and ran on in eye-catching fashion.

It is likely seven furlongs will prove an inadequate trip for her in time judged by her breeding and the way she has shaped on both starts, and it would be no surprise if connections step her up in distance next time out.

She was well backed prior to her debut which suggests she must show ability at home and it shouldn’t be long before the daughter of Group One winner Archipenko gets her head in front.

Race: Third in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes on Saturday

This two-year-old went into plenty of notebooks when successful on debut where she was well supported and overcame greenness to score in hugely-promising style.

Richard Fahey’s exciting youngster was no match for Miss Amulet when third in the Lowther Stakes on her next start, where she didn’t look the finished article, but put those two starts to good use when successful in a Group Three contest at Ayr this month.

Despite racing keenly out wide with no cover in the Cheveley Park, Umm Kulthum still managed to finish third and did well to finish as close as she did behind Alcohol Free and Miss Amulet.

She is sure to be suited by further with stamina in her pedigree and connections have a useful Group One performer on their hands. It’s a long way off, but the 40-1 available with Unibet for next year’s 1000 Guineas is generous.

Race: Thirteenth in the bet365 Cambridgeshire Handicap on Saturday

Finishing thirteenth beaten thirteen lengths may not sound great, but Walhaan shaped better than the bare result suggests in the Cambridgeshire on Saturday.

A dual winner in France before joining Ian Williams, Walhaan has been highly tried in some competitive handicaps in Britain but has shown promise on more than one occasion and finished first of the seven that raced on an unfavourable part of the track.

The Dark Angel gelding finished second behind the well-handicapped Tempus – who finished sixth in the Cambridgeshire – on his previous start and remains unexposed for his new yard, and over trips further than a mile.

He looks capable of winning off a rating of 93 and is worth following.