THIS year's Cambridgeshire is as much of a minefield as it always has been, with 35 runners taking to the turf.
There are a few that stick out above the rest, though, and we've put together an in-depth assessment of the valuable handicap.
Key Cambridgeshire contenders
Good Birthday 13-2f
King Power colt has some very smart form to his name, including a fine third in the London Gold Cup earlier in the season and a good handicap win last time out.
He'll need a little bit of luck on his side from stall 32 but Oisin Murphy is the man for the job in that regard and he still looks nicely handicapped after a 3lb rise.
The drop in trip looks ideal and he has a fine chance for his in-form trainer.
Fifth Position 15-2
Roger Varian does very well in these big handicaps and his three-year-old has almost certainly been laid out for this off a mark of 100.
Some decent form in better company than this suggests he has a big handicap pot in him at some stage and this could be it.
He's only had five runs so could find this big field coming a little soon in his career, but otherwise looks to have solid claims.
Le Don De Vie 15-2
Horses with 1s next to their name are usually too high in the weights to win the Cambridgeshire, but Hughie Morrison's colt surely has more to come after a snug victory at Goodwood last time.
Morrson's only had him for two starts and he's sure to have more to come for the classy operator given how authoritatively he scored on the Sussex Downs.
The third that day has since gone on to strike impressively and with Ryan Moore up top, his chance is clear to see.
Lord North 9-1
John Gosden knows how to train the winner of this and his main contender here holds obvious claims on his second start after a break.
He was a fine second on return at Ascot earlier this month and should be primed and ready off a 4lb higher mark.
Frankie takes over now and with just four starts under his belt, he has more than enough potential to play a big hand.
Rest of the field
- Dubai Horizon
- Afaak
- Fajjaj
- Mordin
- Bedouin's Story
- Petrus
- Baltic Baron
- Zhui Feng
- Jazeel
- Beringer
- Queen Of Time
- Nicholas T
- Dark Vision
- History Writer
- Another Touch
- Badenscoth
- Smile A Mile
- Alternative Fact
- Al Jellaby
- Cockalorum
- Mulligatawny
- You're Hired
- Korcho
- Chance
- Majestic Dawn
- Little Jo
- Music Seeker
- Zzoro
- Isomer
How will the race pan out?
As always in this race there's plenty of pace, with Zhui Feng likely to spearhead the charge from the lower draws and Majestic Dawn prominent on the other side.
It's difficult to know what side of the track is ideal before it's tested but with the four most prominent in the betting all occupying higher berths, it's hard not to believe the winner won't come from stall 20+.
Betting advice for the big one
Le Don De Vie has major claims under Ryan Moore after his encouraging victory at Goodwood last time out, but this may go the way of Paul Cole and MAJESTIC DAWN.
The 1m2f trip stretched him a touch last time but this is more suitable and he looks to have landed on a lovely mark.
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