NATIONALISM is an unspectacularly logical selection for the first leg of the autumn double at Newmarket.

John Gosden’s colt is a shortpriced favourite for the totesport.com Cambridgeshire, which is traditionally a betting minefield.

This time it has a rather onesided look, however, with Nationalism seemingly a Group-race performer masquerading as a handicapper.

Gosden’s three-year-old has certainly made up for lost time after failing to see a racecourse as a juvenile.

Twice runner-up in ten-furlong maidens at Headquarters, the George Strawbridge-owned representative now arrives back at Newmarket in search of a hat-trick.

His maiden success at Sandown was good, but his follow-up win at Goodwood over the Cambridgeshire trip was positively exemplary.

Nationalism made a lot of decent animals look very ordinary indeed as he ran amok in Sussex to score by three lengths off a mark of 95.

The assessor has raised him 7lb since then but, with textbook Gosden shrewdness, the Goodwood win was after the framing of the Cambridgeshire weights, which means he must only carry a 4lb penalty.

Being by Pivotal, Nationalism will have no issues with the likely cut in the ground, while both jockey William Buick and his trainer – who has won the race twice in the last two years – could hardly be in better form.

In a race in which punters can often complicate matters, this Gosden inmate really does have the appearance of a cast-iron market leader.

Music Show can earlier do the business in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.

Mick Channon’s filly has been carelessly under-rated this term, but gladly claimed the Group One scalp her efforts have merited in the Falmouth at the July course.

Critics may argue she was nothing out of the ordinary in the Matron last time, but such was the muddling nature of the Curragh heat, she probably did well to finish third behind Lillie Langtry.

Significantly, Music Show showed when second behind Goldikova in France that a bit of cut will hold no terrors.

While the Sun Chariot has lured an intriguing-looking field, Channon’s Noverre filly should be followed with interest.

Good racing at Redcar, where the totepool-sponsored Two- Year-Old Trophy takes top billing.

This is usually carnage for punters, but it may pay to side with Codemaster, Henry Candy’s deeply progressive sprinter.

Although he is likely to appreciate further than this six-furlong trip, it was hard not to have been blown away by his August cakewalk at Newmarket.

That six-length triumph was achieved on a rain-softened surface, so conditions should not be too daunting for this promising Choisir colt.

Also keep an eye out on Sir Gerry’s progress in the Guisborough Stakes, as long as the ground does not get too soft.

The five-year-old successfully stepped back up in trip at Newmarket last time when finishing an utterly honourable second behind Delegator.

As that was his first try over seven furlongs for an age, connections are obviously convinced this longer trip is the way to go.

Sir Gerry has won before on soft ground and has been unearthed a good race by Chris Dwyer to strike for the first time since he won a Listed race at Salisbury in June.