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UK: Mijhaar's Cambridgeshore Bid

3 minute read

Mijhaar (9st 5lb) could bid for a deserved success in the £160,000 Betfred Cambridgeshire Handicap, run over nine furlongs at Newmarket on Saturday, September 29, 2012.

The four-year-old, trained by Roger Varian, was one of the ante-post favourites for last year's renewal until a training setback forced him to miss the race and the rest of the season.

The son of Shirocco returned to the racecourse after 10 months off when finishing third in the Listed Betfred Hambleton Handicap over a mile at York in May, and ran another pleasing race when third in the Listed Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot, beaten half a length.

On his latest start, Mijhaar started favourite for the John Smith's Cup at York but luck in running was against him and after stumbling he finished 15th.

Varian, who trains at Kremlin House Stables in Newmarket, said: "Mijhaar is a possible for the Betfred Cambridgeshire but he wouldn't be a runner on fast ground.

"He is in good form. The ground was too fast for him at Sandown (on September 1 when he was withdrawn) as he is a horse who wants good to soft or good ground. He wouldn't mind it softer than that but he doesn't want firm in the going description.

"He could run in the September Stakes at the weekend. He is relaxing better now as he gets older and at Kempton he might get a mile and a half.

"He ran two very good races earlier on in the season but he was unlucky at York when he clipped heels and that cost him all chance. It happened three furlongs out so it's too early to say what would have happened but he was going very well.

"I think he would have gone close that day.

"He is a big strong horse and I wouldn't be worried about running him under a big weight - he can cope with it."

Mijhaar is rated a 20/1 chance by Betfred, while Danadana (9st 10lb) and Chil The Kite (8st 7lb) head the market at 14/1.

The heritage handicap could also feature David Simcock's Trade Storm (9st 5lb), who captured a competitive handicap at York on August 23. He may clash again with Strictly Silver (8st 2lb), Indian Jack (8st 3lb) and Navajo Chief (9st 6lb), who finished second, third and fourth respectively on the Knavesmire.

Other notable contenders include William Haggas' Mukhadram (8st 11lb), who finished fourth in the Group Three Tercentary Stakes at Royal Ascot and John Smith's Cup hero King's Warrior (9st 2lb).