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Karl Burke enjoyed a first Cambridgeshire when Liberty Lane defied top-weight in the valuable Newmarket handicap.

With those drawn high often dominating this contest in the last few years, many would have expected Liberty Lane to be poorly situated down in gate four. It certainly looked as though that was the case at the halfway point with those towards the stands side holding a healthy complexion. 

Mr King kicked into a clear advantage on the near side, however, as so often is the case with the valuable nine-furlong prize, the complexion began to rapidly change, and the camera switched towards those located on the far side. 

It soon became clear that Liberty Lane had struck the front with a furlong and a half to travel, and he only had to be kept up to his work by Clifford Lee to power away for a two-and-a-half length win. 

Ed Bethell's James Mchenry, who was also drawn down low in stall two, stayed on well to fill the runner-up spot, while Toimy Son finished back in third. 

It was a second success of the season for Liberty Lane after Karl Burke's four-year-old struck decisively over the same course and distance back in May. 

Burke, who saddled the first three home in last week's Ayr Gold Cup, said: "He needs conditions in his favour, which they were today, and he needs a target to aim at, which he had in Balmacara, who went forward, so we were happy with the draw. He had horses around him, but I was a little bit concerned at halfway when the camera angle changed and it looked like we had a length or two to make up, but he's got a few gears."

"I think I'd have been happier if he'd had a lead for longer, but Cliff said he was going so well he was happy to kick on, he was in a lovely rhythm, as in his early days he could be a bit keen.

"I ran him in the Dante, and he ran too free, but he still led them to the furlong pole that day and there were some high-class horses in that race. He's always been a very good horse and he's just getting his act together now.

"He ran very well at Doncaster last time out and I was a bit worried this race was coming a week too soon, but he's just come right at the right time.

Paddy Power cut the winner to 8/1 (from 16s) for the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot, but Burke has no plans set in stone. 

He said: "There are no plans, I'll talk to his owner, there might be something abroad, I don't know."