'It’s the biggest race I’ve ever been involved in' - 80-year-old trainer going for Cambridgeshire glory

Octogenarian four-horse trainer Ray Craggs is looking forward to the biggest race of his life on Saturday when Ron O lines up for the bet365 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket.

Craggs, who trains his small string alongside running nine farms and a contracting business from his base near Sedgefield racecourse, has booked Rossa Ryan for the general 20-1 shot in the £175,000 handicap.

The 80-year-old, who will be having his first runner at Newmarket in 30 years, said: “We’re going down hopeful this weekend and it’s the biggest race I’ve ever been involved in, and probably ever will be involved in, so let’s see what happens.

"Rossa’s agent rang up for the ride and I was very pleased to accept the offer. Rossa hasn’t ridden for me before but he’s a good jockey and the horse is straightforward and versatile in terms of the ground.”

Ron O finished fifth last time in a handicap at York’s Ebor festival and Craggs added: “He got a bad draw at York, which was a shame as I expected him to win that race. My plan all season had been to win that, but it didn’t pan out and that’s how it goes."

Meanwhile, This Songisforyou supplanted Roi De France as Cambridgeshire favourite on Wednesday after being cut to as short as 11-2 by bookmakers.

Trained by Emmet Mullins, This Songisforyou was slashed into joint-favouritism from as big as 20-1 following confirmations on Monday and has continued to shorten before final declarations on Thursday morning.

This Songisforyou (8): subject of a big gamble in the CambridgeshireCredit: CAROLINE NORRIS

David Stevens, Coral’s head of PR, said: “This Songisforyou was a 10-1 chance following Monday's entry stage, with his odds cut first to 8-1 and now 6-1 after support for the recent Curragh winner.  

“Punters are clearly happy to put their faith in Emmet Mullins as he bids to add the first leg of the autumn double to The Shunter's victory in last season's Cesarewitch.”

The going at Newmarket has dried to good, from good, good to soft in places, but Andrew Morris, Newmarket’s head of racing and clerk of the course, said conditions were likely to turn softer again, with rain forecast over the coming days.

On Wednesday he said: “We had a nice day today but we have a fairly tricky forecast for the next couple of days with unsettled weather and showers, which could possibly be heavy through Thursday and Friday.

“The track has improved and is good, but with the rain around I expect it will be easier than that for the racing. The amounts are uncertain, so it’s a case of how much we get.”

bet365 Cambridgeshire (3.40 Newmarket, Saturday)
bet 365: 6 This Songisforyou, 8 Roi De France, 12 Godwinson, Silver Sword, 14 Balmacara, Bopedro, Liberty Lane, 16 Under Siege, 20 Coeur D'Or, Dual Identity, Ron O, 25 bar

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