Eddystone Rock misses the Betfred Cambridgeshire at Newmarket

Eddystone Rock joined ante-post favourite Sacred Act as an absentee at the final declaration stage for the Betfred Cambridgeshire.

Ante-post punters had already been hit hard by the news from John Gosden on Wednesday evening that Sacred Act would miss the race, but then the horse who had been the best-backed among those at longer odds was also pulled out on Thursday morning.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained four-year-old was backed all week having won three of his last four starts, most recently in the mud at Tipperary.

But Murtagh posted on Twitter: "Eddystone Rock non-runner in Cambridgeshire on Saturday unsatisfactory scope this morning #disappointed."

Frankie Dettori, initially set to ride Sacred Act, has switched to the Jeremy Noseda-trained Bravo Zolo.

The weights are headed jointly  by Gosden's GM Hopkins, the mount of Ryan Moore, and 2013 Cambridgeshire hero Educate.

Bronze Angel, winner in 2012 and 2014, and last year's victor Third Time Lucky also feature. Other runners include Spark Plug, Very Talented, Banksea and Examiner.

Victory for the latter would give trainer Stuart Williams his biggest ever payday and Williams is hopeful that his charge can improve on last year's third.

"I had planned to run Examiner in a big handicap at Goodwood in mid summer but the ground there came up just too quick for him which was a real nuisance as he had a handy weight and it was a really nice prize.

"Ever since then the plan has been to go straight for the Betfred Cambridgeshire. I am happy with his draw in stall 18 as it will allow him to tack over to whichever side has more pace, which is very important.

"He has got form on 'good to firm' ground and my personal opinion is that it never gets rattling fast at Newmarket at this time of year.

"Last year he only just made it to the Cambridgeshire after recovering from a bacterial infection. This time, by contrast, I have been very happy with his condition.

"It would be fantastic to win a race like this at our home track, the signature race of the meeting. It would be a real feather in the cap of a small yard with hard-working staff who do it all year round."

The sponsors' spokesman, Andrew Griffiths, said: "The absence of the gambled-on Sacred Act from the final declarations is without doubt a real body blow for ante-post punters. He was the talking horse of the race and his many supporters will be nursing burnt fingers this morning.

"However, we still have a terrific Betfred Cambridgeshire in prospect and we're delighted with the final field.  Third Time Lucky is our new favourite at 8/1 as he bids to become the first horse to win back to back renewals since Prince de Galles did the double in 1970."