# Cambridgeshire Handicap 2027: Racetimes, TV Coverage & Raceday Guide _The Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket: one of the great autumn big-field heritage handicaps. Race times, ITV coverage, course notes and how to follow the runners._ *Source: [https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/cambridgeshire-handicap/](https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/cambridgeshire-handicap/) · last updated 2026-10-08* # Cambridgeshire Handicap 2027 The **Cambridgeshire Handicap** at Newmarket is one of the great autumn big-field heritage handicaps on the British flat calendar. It is run over 1m 1f on Newmarket's wide Rowley Mile course, with 30+ declared runners: a quintessential British middle-distance handicap that has run in essentially the same form since 1839. Run on the Saturday of Newmarket's three-day **Cambridgeshire Meeting** in late September, it's the autumn bookmaker's showpiece and a race where course-form, draw bias and each-way strategy all matter enormously. For the **2027 edition**, the scheduled raceday is **TBA**. Declared runners, going update and off-time are published on the morning of the race, and this page updates automatically as each detail is confirmed. ## At a glance - **Course**: Newmarket (Rowley Mile, 1m 1f course) - **Distance**: 1 mile 1 furlong - **Grade**: Heritage Handicap (Premier Handicap), Class 2 - **Prize fund**: ~£170,000 total - **Broadcast**: ITV1 (free-to-air UK) - **First run**: 1839 The Cambridgeshire and its sister race the **Cesarewitch** (mid-October) are known as the "Autumn Double", historically one of the great ante-post punting combinations in British racing, with bookmakers historically paying massive antepost doubles when both winners came in. Read on for the full 2027 race details, the history of the Cambridgeshire, how to watch, and what Cambridgeshire Saturday at Newmarket looks like. ## 2027 race details # 2027 race details The 2027 Cambridgeshire Handicap is scheduled for **TBA** at Newmarket (Rowley Mile), the Saturday of the three-day Cambridgeshire Meeting. | Detail | Value | |---|---| | **Race date** | TBA | | **Off time** | TBA | | **Going** | TBA | | **Field size** | TBA | | **Distance** | 1 mile 1 furlong | | **Grade** | Heritage Handicap (Class 2) | | **Prize fund** | ~£170,000 | ### Trials and build-up Cambridgeshire form pointers come from: - **Ebor Meeting at York (August)**: the Ebor itself and the Melrose Handicap produce trial form from the class of horse that steps up to Cambridgeshire trip - **Ayr Gold Cup weekend (September)**: the Mile Handicap on Friday-Saturday produces milers that can step up to 1m 1f - **September handicaps at Newmarket and Haydock**: late-season progressive handicappers peaking for Newmarket Five-day entries for the Cambridgeshire close around 20 September. Final declarations (48-hour) are published on the Thursday of race week. This page reflects the confirmed declared runners once they're posted, so check back on race morning for the final field. ### Ante-post markets The Cambridgeshire is one of the most-bet handicaps of the autumn, with ante-post markets running since early summer. Bookmakers typically offer four places each-way as standard, with some offering five on non-runner-no-bet terms once the final declarations are published. **Key angle**: 3-year-olds (carrying age-adjusted weights) have a strong recent record, especially improving colts and geldings off a progressive summer campaign. Field sizes of 30+ are typical, and the **maximum 34-runner field** is one of the largest in British flat racing. ## History and notable winners # History and notable winners The Cambridgeshire Handicap was first run in **1839**, the same year as its sister race the Cesarewitch, both commissioned as flat handicap races to honour royal visits. Named after the county of Cambridgeshire (in which Newmarket sits), the race has run every year since (bar wartime gaps and pandemic-related disruption), making it one of the longest-established handicaps in world racing. ### The legends **Wissahickon** and **Lord North** won it in successive years for John Gosden. Both were three-year-olds ridden by Frankie Dettori, and both went on to better things. Gosden is the race's leading trainer, with five wins. The "classier-than-handicap horse running off a sensible handicap mark" is one of the Cambridgeshire's most reliable winner profiles. **Bronze Angel** won it twice, the second time for Marcus Tregoning. **Liberty Lane** and **Boiling Point** gave Karl Burke back-to-back wins, both ridden by Clifford Lee. Recent winners have been anything from three to six years old, from a wide spread of yards, which is what you would expect of a handicap this big. ### What wins the Cambridgeshire The Rowley Mile Cambridgeshire course at 1m 1f rewards: - **Middle-distance stamina at class pace**: not a quickening race; it is truly run and the final two furlongs are uphill - **Handicap mark 90-105**: the sweet spot; top-weights can win but the weight concession is fierce over a mile and a furlong - **Going flexibility**: Newmarket's Rowley Mile can be firm to good-to-soft in September; versatile horses are preferred - **Ability to come off the pace**: the race is typically run off a strong tempo; horses who can travel in midfield and pick up in the final quarter-mile are the classic winner profile ### Draw and pace The draw bias on Newmarket's Rowley Mile 1m 1f course is less pronounced than on the straight mile, but **high numbers have historically had a small edge on soft ground** and **low numbers on fast ground**. Pace shape matters more than the draw: if the race has obvious front-runners drawn wide, that can help a midfield horse set up a winning closing run. ### Recent roll of honour *This section updates after each year's running. See [/racing-news/](/racing-news/) for the most recent race result article.* ## TV coverage and how to watch # TV coverage and how to watch The 2027 Cambridgeshire Handicap is live on **ITV1** (free-to-air in the UK). ### UK terrestrial: ITV1 / ITVX ITV Racing's Cambridgeshire Day coverage typically runs **from approximately 1:30pm** on the Saturday of the three-day Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting, carrying four races from Newmarket plus cross-course action from Haydock or Ayr. The Cambridgeshire itself is traditionally the fourth race on the card, off around **3:35pm**; the exact off-time for 2027 is **TBA** once confirmed. ITVX carries the coverage live and on demand after the event, free to UK viewers. ### Racing TV **Racing TV** carries the full three-day Cambridgeshire Meeting (Thursday–Saturday, 21 races total) with extensive pre- and post-race analysis. For ante-post and form-analysis detail through the meeting, Racing TV is the richer feed. Subscription or day-pass required. ### Sky Sports Racing Sky Sports Racing does **not** hold rights to the Cambridgeshire Meeting, as Newmarket's Rowley Mile is on Racing TV and ITV on this weekend. Sky Sports Racing will show the complementary Saturday fixtures (typically Chester or Redcar). ### International - **Ireland**: Racing TV (via UPC / Sky Ireland) or ITV if local rights apply. - **US**: Racing TV's American feed and some OTB providers carry the Cambridgeshire. - **Australia**: Sky Thoroughbred Central carries selected UK autumn festivals; confirm with your provider. ### Replays ITVX (free) and Racing TV (subscriber archive) keep the race available on-demand. The Racing Post and ITV Racing's own YouTube channels usually post the race video within hours of the result. ### Off-time reminders Cambridgeshire Day runs a packed seven-race card and the stalls handlers need extra time to load the 34-runner field. Expect the advertised **TBA** to move by 2–3 minutes in most cases. The Cambridgeshire consistently runs a little behind schedule because of the field size. ## Raceday at Newmarket (Cambridgeshire Saturday) # Raceday at Newmarket (Cambridgeshire Saturday) ### Getting there Newmarket Racecourse (Rowley Mile) is at **Rowley Mile, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 0TF**, in Suffolk, around 90 minutes by road from London and 30 minutes from Cambridge. The nearest station is **Newmarket** (Greater Anglia, 15 minutes' walk to the enclosure), with services from Cambridge and Ipswich. Drivers: A14 to Newmarket; Junction 37 for the Rowley Mile course. Free on-course parking plus paid reserved options closer to the entrance. Cambridgeshire Saturday traffic is manageable but allow extra time. ### The enclosures Three main tickets for the Cambridgeshire Meeting: - **Premier Enclosure**: best viewing, covered seating, access to parade ring and winner's enclosure. Dress code applies. - **Grandstand & Paddock**: main public enclosure with excellent rail views and paddock access. - **The July Course picnic area**: different course, usually closed for Cambridgeshire Meeting; races are on the Rowley Mile only. Cambridgeshire Saturday tickets are generally available in advance through thejockeyclub.co.uk; book by September to secure Premier Enclosure. ### On the day - **Gates open** around 11:00am. - **First race** is usually 1:50–2:00pm. - **The Cambridgeshire** is race 4 on the card, typically off around **TBA**. - Parade ring is very busy 30 minutes before each race, and the Cambridgeshire's 34-runner field is visually spectacular. - **Stalls test**: the 34-horse load is a formidable piece of racecourse theatre. Get to the parade ring early for the Cambridgeshire and you'll have time to see the stalls handlers setting up as well. ### Dress code Premier Enclosure: smart casual (collared shirt for men, no ripped jeans or sportswear). Grandstand & Paddock: no dress code, so dress for early autumn weather. Newmarket in late September can be warm and sunny or blustery and cold; layered clothing with a waterproof top is the safe bet. ### Food and drink Multiple food outlets on-course including traditional British gastropubs, the famous Rowley Mile restaurants, street-food traders, and premium hospitality packages. Bars across all enclosures. ### Betting Tote facilities and on-course bookmakers across all enclosures. ATM cash machines on-site. Cambridgeshire Saturday is a high-betting day so bring cash if you plan to bet at the rails. Our [bookmaker comparison guide](/bookmakers/) covers online alternatives if you'd rather place from the stand via your phone.
### Bet responsibly Betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money. The odds favour the bookmaker over time, so only stake what you can afford to lose and set a budget before you start. If gambling stops being fun, free confidential support is available at [BeGambleAware.org](https://www.begambleaware.org/). 18+.
## Sources & verification Race details, dates, prize money and trends in this piece were cross-checked against: - [Wikipedia: Cambridgeshire Handicap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridgeshire_Handicap) - [Newmarket racecourse: Cambridgeshire](https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/newmarket/) - [Racing Post: handicap form database](https://www.racingpost.com/) [Source: cross-referenced as of the lastUpdated date in this article's meta.yaml.]