'We haven't had many bad weeks' - in-form Karl Burke maps out plans in bid to add to £3.3m prize-money haul in 2024

Liberty Lane is set for a step up in class after giving Karl Burke his second big handicap success in as many weeks.

The topweight saw off 30 rivals to take the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket by two and a half lengths on Saturday, seven days after Lethal Levi led home a one-two-three for his trainer in the Ayr Gold Cup.

"We've had a great season," said Burke, whose success on Saturday took him to a best-ever British prize-money haul of £3,378,521 this year. "We haven't had many bad weeks and hopefully it will carry on for a while yet."

Reflecting on Liberty Lane's victory, the trainer said: "It was a good performance. We've always thought a fair bit of him.

"Carrying that weight takes a bit of doing. I know he probably had the advantage of the draw, but we've had our share of being on the wrong side, as all trainers have.

"He's in the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day but he'll have a penalty. I'll talk to [owner-breeder] Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and we'll see where we go. I'd say we'll probably step him up to Listed company at least, or maybe try to find a Group 3 somewhere on soft ground."

Karl Burke: trainer has amassed a best-ever British prize-money haul of £3,378,521 this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Burke could bid to complete a big handicap hat-trick in the £180,000 BetMGM Challenge Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

But he said of his three entries: "Lethal Levi could go for the six-furlong race. He has a penalty in the Challenge Cup and seven furlongs on really soft ground wouldn't be to his liking.

"I think we're going to wait with Thunder Run. But Back See Daa could possibly run as seven furlongs is her trip on slow ground."

Also on Saturday, Andesite is the most likely runner from the yard's four entries for the £150,000 William Hill Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar, while Burke is hoping for rain for Darnation in the £275,000 Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

"She's in great form and working really well," said the trainer, who is also set to run Fallen Angel in the Prix de l'Opera and Poet Master in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Sunday.

Read these next:

'A race I've always wanted to win' - Liberty Lane proves far too good as Karl Burke's dream season continues in Cambridgeshire 

Lethal Levi leads home 'quite remarkable' 1-2-3 for Karl Burke in Ayr Gold Cup – and lands punter almost £80,000 in Tricast bet 

'We knew he'd love the soft ground' - Ice Max records first Group success in Celebration Mile for Karl Burke 

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