The 15:15 Newmarket, the Betway Old Newton Cup Handicap, brings together a deep and competitive Class 2 field over 1m4f on good-to-firm ground. At the head of the market is Klassleader, a lightly raced William Haggas four-year-old who arrives with the strongest progressive profile in the race.

Klassleader has had just five career starts and looked a horse still ahead of the handicapper when winning at York on his seasonal return. His Racing Post Rating puts him right among the leading contenders, and his upward curve gives him a clear favourite’s chance. The concern, however, is price. At short odds, he is respected rather than irresistible.

The race shape adds another layer. HorseRaceBase pace data points to two likely front-runners, Claymore and Burdett Road, with several prominent racers sitting close behind. That creates the possibility of a strongly run contest, which may favour horses capable of finishing powerfully from midfield.

That brings Paddy The Squire firmly into the conversation. He comes here after a strong staying-on third at Royal Ascot and has an excellent distance record, placing in four of five attempts. He looks one of the most reliable each-way options in the race.

Fierce Fortitude is perhaps the most interesting value runner. Lightly raced, consistent and still open to improvement, he has placed in six of seven career starts and now steps up to a trip that could suit on pedigree. At double-figure odds, he makes strong each-way appeal.

Night Breeze also deserves respect. His statistical profile is excellent, with six places from seven on turf and nine places from eleven at the distance. He is not flashy, but he is dependable and looks overpriced if the pace collapses late.

Plage De Havre is another solid contender. Last year’s winner remains well suited to this sort of race and boasts strong handicap and class-place statistics. The only question is whether fast ground is ideal.

The likely favourite, Klassleader, remains the most probable winner, but from a betting perspective the better plays may lie elsewhere. Paddy The Squire, Fierce Fortitude and Night Breeze all bring strong finishing profiles into a race that could be run to suit.

Verdict: Klassleader is the horse to beat, but Fierce Fortitude and Night Breeze look the value each-way angles, with Paddy The Squire a rock-solid place contender.