Cambridgeshire plunge: Chichester 10-1 from 66-1 for big Newmarket handicap

Unlikely plunge horse Chichester, entered in the bet365 Cambridgeshire "more in hope than expectation", was pummelled into as short as 10-1 in places on Tuesday – having been a 66-1 shot a few days ago.

The Keith Dalgleish-trained handicapper has been all the rage since trotting up by six and a half lengths at Ayr last Thursday. That victory earned the four-year-old a 12lb rise in the BHA ratings, yet he will carry just a 4lb penalty in Saturday's £120,000 1m1f race at Newmarket.

News that Chichester is quoted at no bigger than 12-1 for one of the biggest betting races of the season came as a surprise to his owner, however.

"That is amazing," said Sir Ian Good, who is chairman of Hamilton Park racecourse. "We entered him way back on the basis of seeing how he develops, but it was more in hope than expectation.

"He's been a great horse for us, but I don't bet on him – I feel that would be unlucky, so I never do.

"We bought him at the Horses in Training sale last October and I just love watching him run, and as far as I'm concerned if he goes and runs a good race and comes back safely that is it."

Owner Sir Ian Good (left) with Chichester after his victory at Ayr last weekCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Good, who has owned horses since 1987 and won the Zetland Gold Cup with Penny A Day in 1995, is worried about a soft surface at Newmarket, although the forecast is for a dry week.

"It [Chichester taking his chance] is dependent on ground conditions," he stressed. "I'm not keen for him to plough through mud or anything like that, but the forecast says it should be fine."

Chichester, who started his career with two runner-up finishes from five starts for Sir Michael Stoute, suffered four straight defeats after landing the Carlisle Bell on his sixth run for Dalgleish in June, and Good said of his Ayr success: "I can assure you that was a surprise to all concerned. We've always thought he was a very good horse and Keith has been very patient – I'd like to think we as owners have been patient too. Sometimes it just takes a bit of time."

bet365 Cambridgeshire entries

Coral cut Chichester to 12-1 (from 25 on Monday), and spokesman David Stevens said: "He has had a busy campaign, with 11 runs already, but punters clearly believe there is more to come, with his price halving in 24 hours.

"While he’s unlikely to challenge Uncle Bryn for favouritism, it would be no surprise to see Chichester shorten further."

Paddy Power also reported a significant move for Chichester and the firm's spokesman Paul Binfield said: “We’ve seen support for Chichester at a massive 66-1 and then at 33-1 after he got the penalty for hacking up at Ayr, which definitely gets him into the field now.

"It’s easy to see why punters are getting stuck into him as he’s a 'handicap good thing' being 9lb well in and he’s likely to be challenging for second favouritism very soon.”

The John and Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old Uncle Bryn, a one-time Derby prospect, is the general 4-1 favourite for a race the yard have claimed twice in the last three years with representatives from the Classic generation, Wissahickon (2018) and Lord North (2019).

Read more

Mother Earth rerouted to the Breeders' Cup after Santa Barbara setback

Joseph O'Brien planning twin raid in bid to end Ireland's Cambridgeshire hoodoo

Cheveley Park test beckons for Europe's top juvenile filly Sacred Bridge

'I'm hoping he'll become a Group 1 horse' - Ghiani excited by weekend chances

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here