Williamhill.com Cammidge Trophy preview: Punters need not wait with Bated Breath at Doncaster
There are some battle-hardened handicappers that can mix it at Listed level in Saturday’s williamhill.com Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster, while the 2009 winner of this race, Prime Defender, is not penalised for winning in Group 2 company last season. However, the one that stands out is BATED BREATH, who is pretty much the sole horse in the 14-strong field that appeals as a likely improver.
The colt’s trainer, Roger Charlton, has done well with sprinters over the years and Bated Breath looks the type to make up into a Group-class performer this term. Indeed, the fact that Charlton has entered him in the Duke Of York Stakes next month suggests as much, and while he was a beaten favourite in his last two starts of 2010, it wouldn’t be advisable to read too much into those reverses.
Typically for a Juddmonte-bred horse, Bated Breath boasts a pedigree to die for, being by Dansili out of a Distant View mare. The lion’s share of his sire’s progeny relish a quick surface, so the drying ground at Town Moor will be very much in his favour. The going was unsuitably soft when he suffered the aforementioned back-to-back defeats at Newmarket last August, and he landed his three starts prior to that on quicker surfaces in the style of a smart prospect.
Prime Defender, who was runner-up to Inxile in last year’s renewal of this Listed event, appears to be at his best during the spring, so he is the one I fear most. However, he now seven and, one suspects, will be vulnerable to a younger, more progressive sort like Bated Breath.
Iver Bridge Lad is fit from the all-weather, as are both Brave Prospector and Hitchens. That trio all merit respect and should be in the shake-up, but by the same token their limitations are there for all to see.