Magnusson Unfazed By Smart Draw

Mikael Magnusson is not concerned about the draw or the ground as ante-post favourite Smart Enough bids to give the Swedish-born trainer victory in the totesport Cambridgeshire at the first attempt.

Bookmakers eased the progressive three-year-old out to as big as 7-1 after he was handed a single-figure draw (8) in the nine-furlong cavalry charge at Newmarket.

He has headed the market for some time having won run his rivals into the ground in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy to win in good style at York's Ebor meeting.

'I think the draw is irrelevant until after the race,' said Magnusson.

'I have spoken to Kerrin McEvoy and he's not concerned about the draw.

'With his racing style, he doesn't have to go off in front. If there's pace there's pace, but if there is no pace he will make pace.

'When he won at York no horse had won that race from a draw as high as he had (12 out of 17).

'Kerrin has always said that the only time the draw really mattered was at Ascot, but it was more greenness that beat him there.

'It was only his fourth run and he has learnt a lot from his last run here.

'He has learnt a lot from his last three runs ? Ascot, Newmarket and York ? and he is a much more mature horse now.

'He was very impressive at York. He had them off the bridle fully three furlongs from home flat out.

'I'm hoping everything will be well with him tomorrow, but it's a phenomenally tough race with 35 runners.

'It's my first runner in this very prestigious race, an old race in England so we thought we would give it a go. We might just get one crack at it.

'They have had quite a lot of rain and when he won at York it was soft so I hope it will good to soft or I don't mind if it is on the soft side as he will be able to plough through it.'

Top weight Boule d'Or has been declared a non-runner by Jon Akehurst just three minutes before the deadline for a reserve to take the horse's place.

The five-year-old has met with a setback and the Epsom trainer informed racing's administrators Weatherbys at 11.27am.

This means first reserve, Seulement, trained by Luca Cumani, takes Boule d'Or's place.

The weights will not be raised to no lower than 9st 10lb, however, as the withdrawal of the top weight had to be made by 10.30am today for that to be invoked.

Cesare now heads the field on 9st 9lb ? including a 4lb penalty ? with Hinterland, Royal Alchemist and Spectait on 9st 8lb.

Cesare bids to become the first horse since Sterope 57 years ago to add the Cambridgeshire to his Royal Hunt Cup success.

The James Fanshawe-trained five-year-old has only tried tomorrow's distance once before when unplaced at York two years ago.

'He's stepping up in trip, but he's in good form,' said Chris Richardson, spokesman for owners the Cheveley Park Stud.

'Obviously it's a lottery when it comes to these sort of races but he has come out of his last race well.

'It's a good opportunity, he has plenty of prize money and he does have a favourable draw (26).'

(C) PA Sport