Turf Talk: Cambridgeshire conditions must be right for King Ottokar to contest the Newmarket handicap

Trainer, Charlie Fellowes. PIC: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The Newmarket handler is keen to run the three-year-old in the prestigious nine-furlong event after deciding against sending him to France on Saturday for the Group Three Prix du Prince d’Orange at ParisLongchamp

While the trip and racing in a big field will present a new challenge for son of Motivator on Saturday week, it is one Fellowes expects him to take in his stride.

Fellowes said: “King Ottokar is not going to run in France because he had a bit of a bad scope about three weeks ago – which just put us on the back foot for the French race.

King Ottokar and Ben Curtis (purple silks) winning the Racegoers Club 50th Anniversary EBF Novice Stakes at Newbury last year. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA Wire

“The Cambridgeshire is very much under consideration, but I would want a bit of rain to fall to run in it.

“I think the one-mile-one is absolutely fine, especially if it came up soft, and a big field would be no problem because the harder they go, the better it would be for him. So there is plenty to like about the race.”

Should conditions on the Rowley Mile not be suitable for King Ottokar, Fellowes has drawn up a back-up plan over course and distance.

“If we don’t go there, the back-up option is the Darley Stakes – which is a Group Three over the same trip in October,” said Fellowes.

“If the ground is too quick there then that might be it for the season, because that is all there is about left for him.”

Although King Ottokar has just one victory in a conditions race at Newbury to his name this season, Fellowes is confident there is still more to come.

He added: “He has had a very unlucky year because, when you look at the field he beat at Newbury, I don’t know how he hasn’t won a Group race.”

He added: “We tried to chase the Derby dream and ran him over too far earlier in the season, then he was unlucky at Salisbury last time, just being in the wrong place.

“He is a young horse, and next year will be his best one.”

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

PONTEFRACT: 2.10 Spirit Of The Sky, 2.40 Hammer Gun, 3.10 Fraser Island, 3.40 Dragons Call, 4.10 Forewarning, 4.40 Pianissimo, 5.10 ATLETICO (NAP).

YARMOUTH: 1.50 Fantom Force, 2.20 State Crown, 2.50 Call Me Katie, 3.20 Eynhallow, 3.50 Quicksand, 4.20 Harrovian, 4.50 Tinto.

AYR: 1.30 Black Star Dancing, 2.00 Monsieur Noir, 2.30 Elusive Heights, 3.00 Employer, 3.30 What’s The Story (treble), 4.00 Maulesden May, 4.30 Orange Blossom, 5.00 Needs To Be Seen.

CHELMSFORD: 4.55 Dazzling Des, 5.30 Tavus (next best), 6.00 Prince Rock, 6.30 Mythmaker, 7.00 Dubai Icon, 7.30 Parknacilla, 8.00 Fame N Fortune, 8.30 Reddiac.

SOUTHWELL: 5.15 Essenza, 5.45 All Right, 6.15 Cliffs Of Freedom, 6.45 Jack The Truth, 7.15 Creativity, 7.45 Space War, 8.15 Sincerely Resdev.