Lord North reigns supreme to land Cambridgeshire gamble

Horse Racing

Lord North landed a significant gamble in the hands of Frankie Dettori to win the bet365 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket.

The John Gosden-trained gelding came from way off the pace to beat his 29 rivals in convincing fashion in the nine-furlong cavalry charge, after just four previous races.

It was the same trainer/jockey combination that were successful with Wissahickon last year.

Lord North and Frankie Dettori (blue and white colours) poised to strike in the Cambridgeshire
Lord North and Frankie Dettori (blue and white colours) poised to strike in the Cambridgeshire (Nigel French/PA)

Sent off the 9-2 favourite after being available at 10-1 in the morning, Lord North was towards the rear of the near-side group in the early stages, where Majestic Dawn was to the fore.

Beringer (16-1), who helped make the running on the far side, kicked for home some way out, but he was steadily reeled in by the always-confident Dettori on Lord North, who ultimately won cosily, by three-quarters of a length.

The pair pulled four lengths clear of Good Birthday in third, with Mordin – runner-up in this race months ago – three-quarters of a length away in fourth.

Dettori said: “He was a little bit on and off the bridle, but once I got daylight he came alive and just took off. I was just laughing at the end, but at my age you have to enjoy yourself.

“I had to be patient and wait for my gaps – but wow, he had plenty left.

“He has got very little mileage, he was a bit of a boy in his younger days but he is learning and maturing into a proper racehorse. He only had 8st 10lb, so we will see if he can be a Group horse.”

Gosden said: “I think it will be the same as the horse (Wissahickon) last year and we might look towards the all-weather races. There are nice Listed races and then of course there is the Winter Derby route for him.

“We are looking towards that very good programme we have into December and into the beginning of the year. I thought this was a potential Group horse earlier in the year and then he decided on how he was going to conduct himself.

“He is a much happier horse now than he was (having been gelded). He was loaded into late into the stalls as he is not the kind of horse to have in the stalls for a long time, as he has no patience.

“He won smoothly, but Beringer ran a great race in second.”

Alan King said of the runner-up: “I’m thrilled with him, obviously. It’s the handiest he has been in a race, but he travelled well. When he went two or three clear at the furlong pole, I got very excited.

“He has run a massive race. I was worried I had jarred him up at York, but he seemed fine today. I do want to go jumping now, but he might have one more run on the Flat.

“He has already schooled over hurdles.”

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