2025 Cambridgeshire Festival betting tips and insight

Races Now's Harry Fowler is on hand to guide you through the three-day Cambridgeshire Meeting from Newmarket with insight and betting tips – with Friday's action top of the agenda here.

Day two of the Cambridgeshire meeting brings another feast of action to Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, with a mix of seasoned handicappers and exciting youngsters on show.

The feature race of the day is the 3:00pm Joel Stakes, where Opera Ballo looks to extend his career record to five wins from six.

Let's get into it!

Cambridgeshire Meeting betting tips – Friday September 26th 2025

1:15pm – BoyleSports British EBF Rosemary Stakes (Listed Race), 1m

The day kicks off with a Listed race for fillies, with 14 runners declared. Elwateen is sure to be popular, dropping steeply in class after disappointing efforts since her good fourth in the 1000 Guineas here.

The one I like is Protest. She ran a strong race in May over ten furlongs behind Qilin Queen, who has boosted the form since. She then won well at Goodwood in a handicap before failing to settle at Haydock in the Dick Hern.

She’s still learning, but I think there’s more to come and she can go well here.

Harry’s Selection – 0.5pt each-way Protest 9/1 (Bet365/ Hills)

1:50pm – Princess Royal Stakes (Group 3), 1m4

There are 11 runners in this Group 3 contest, with Spirited Style the 5/2 favourite – a bigger price than I expected. He disappointed in Germany last time, but prior to that looked a very good prospect.

On his second start he was a runaway winner at Haydock, with stablemate Silent Love five lengths back. More recently, he dominated a Listed race on the July Course, beating Understudy by 11¼ lengths.

If you forgive his German effort, he looks the one to beat.

Harry’s Selection – 1.5pt win Spirited Style 5/2 (Ladbrokes / Coral)

2:25pm – BoyleSports Home Of Early Payout Rockfel Stakes (Group 2), 7f

The first Group race of Friday features a rematch between Touleen and Zanthos.

Both looked smart on debut, but when they clashed at Leicester, Touleen was the clear superior. Zanthos pulled hard early and Oisin Murphy didn’t give him a hard time once beaten, but it’s worth noting the betting that day: Zanthos 4/11, Touleen 9/4.

For me Touleen looked very useful last time and whilst I do respect his opposition I think Touleen will be too good.

Harry’s Selection – 1.5pt win Touleen 6/4 (Ladbrokes / Coral)

3:00pm – BoyleSports Daily Racing Rewards Joel Stakes (Group 2), 1m

The feature race of the day sees Opera Ballo head the market as a short-priced favourite. He has won his last two starts in Listed company and looks ready for this step up to Group level.

Since his first two runs at Kempton, he has shown serious talent, though his quirks cost him any chance of showing his ability in the Craven (not that he would necessarily have won).

At 8/11 he’s hard to back with enthusiasm, particularly with Zeus Olympios looking a serious rival. I’ll sit this one out and just enjoy what should be a proper race.

Harry’s Selection – No Bet

3:35pm – BoyleSports Smart Race Card Godolphin Stakes (Listed Race), 1m4

An intriguing contest with two horses making their seasonal reappearance at the top of the market. By the Book heads the betting for Godolphin, having won both starts impressively, though he tries this trip for the first time.

His main rival is Isle of Jura, last seen beating Goliath – the subsequent King George winner – by three and three-quarter lengths in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.

I’m siding with Isle of Jura. His form is miles ahead of the rest, and I think he’ll be fit enough to win on his return.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win Isle Of Jura 3/1 (Various)

4:10pm – BoyleSports Daily Money Back Meetings British EBF “Confined” Maiden Stakes, 7f

A tricky maiden where the standard set by the experienced runners doesn’t look that high.

I’m turning to a debutant, Bemersyde. A 120,000gns purchase, he’s related to a few winners and makes some appeal. It’s always a leap of faith backing one first time out, but I’ll play small each-way.

Harry’s Selection – 0.375pt each-way Bemersyde 7/1 (Bet365, 3 places)

4:45pm – BoyleSports Handicap, 1m1

A competitive handicap rounds off day two, with 13 runners. Favourite Man Of La Mancha arrives off the back of a Sandown win.

However, I like Mystical Guest. He runs well at Newmarket, and I think this trip will really suit him. The quicker ground will help too, after running on softer last time. Looks a lively contender at a good price.

Harry’s Selection – 0.5pt each-way Mystical Guest 14/1 (Bet365, 4 places)

Harry Fowler's 2025 Cambridgeshire meeting day two betting tips

0.5pt EW - Protest (1.15pm) - 9/1 (Bet365/ Hills)

1.5pt win - Spirited Style (1.50pm) - 5/2 (Ladbrokes / Coral)

1.5pt win - Touleen (2.25pm) - 6/4 (Ladbrokes / Coral)

1pt win - Isle Of Jura (3.35pm) - 3/1 (Various)

0.375pt EW - Bemersyde (4.10pm) - 7/1 (Bet365, 3 places)

0.5pt EW - Mystical Guest (4.45pm) - 14/1 (Bet365, 4 places)

Total staked - 6.75pts