During an unpredictable first few weeks in the Premier League we'd been waiting for one of the title contenders to lay down a marker.
The Cambridgeshire
The Cambridgeshire looks as impossible as ever and should come with a warming for punters. There have been just seven winnings favourites since 1977 and eight of the last 11 favourites have finished unplaced.
William Haggas has been the handicap king this season and could have as many as six runners in Saturday's big handicap. Graphic seems to be the one punters have latched on to but I prefer the chance of Queensberry Rules at 14/1 with Sky Bet.
A big-field handicap like this will hold no fears for him as he was third in the 27-runner Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was beaten less than a length and was a little unlucky too. Queensberry Rules looked like a sure-fire big handicap winner that day and was heavily backed to do so on King George day back at Ascot but little went right for him again in the race.
Then at York last month he took a fierce hold early on and didn't settle yet still managed to catch the eye when staying on for sixth. A return to a cavalry charge over a longer trip should suit him well. Queensberry Rules only made his racecourse debut in April so should still be open to plenty of improvement and is due a change of luck.
Educate is my other fancy in the race. He won four times from five starts up to May of this year but has been horribly unlucky ever since. Last time out was bad enough as he was squeezed up in typical Goodwood fashion in the Celebration Mile but worse was the run before at Haydock last month.
Educated was the moral winner as he went down on his nose yet still nearly got back up to win. He needs a fast pace and decent ground to be seen at his best, both of which should be guaranteed on Saturday.
Sun Chariot
The bet of the day is Integral each-way in the Sun Chariot. The race will revolve around another Sky Lantern v Elusive Kate clash but Integral looks far better value at around 6/1.
She has won three of her four races to date and you can put a line through her one defeat in the Nassau as she was green that day and had no luck in what was a mess of a race. Ryan Moore held his hands up after the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown last time yet Integral was still brave enough to get up and share the race with Ladys First.
Integral is tough, still improving, fresher than most of the field and looks set to run a big race on Saturday.
