Category: Horse Racing

Bookmakers in Britain and Ireland are gearing themselves up for one of the biggest weeks of the Flat season as Glorious Goodwood takes centre stage.

As the early money is in, there has been plenty of support for Platinum Jubilee fifth Sacred, who is priced at 2-1 (from 20/1) for tomorrow’s Lennox Stakes, while Prix de Diane scorer Nashwa is now 4-5 (from 6/1) to land Saturday’s Nassau Stakes.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Free Wind has dropped from 6/1 to as short as 6/5 to extend her winning run to four in the Lillie Langtry Stakes.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest gambles of the week that’s attracting a lot of support just now is Roger Teal’s Whenthedealisdone, who’s gone from 25/1 to 10/1 to be the first one to cross the line in the Stewards Cup. It’s more than likely that by the time of the race comes around, the odds will be down to low single digits.

As for tomorrow, despite a tough Gold Cup race back in June, Stradivarius has taken 39% of bets across the market and there’s no surprise to see the 8 year old crowed the people’s horse tomorrow. However, since his performance at Royal Ascot, there’s a perceived vulnerability in him now that wasn’t really there before.

But the serious money ahead of tomorrow’s racing is going on Ryan Moore and Kyprios. Moore’s fantastic track record this season has catapulted him into top jockey status however, bookmakers don’t appear to be running scared at all as the Moore accumulator is being marketed aggressively. And should he win five out of his seven rides tomorrow, he would send the bookies running for cover.

As it stands, the Moore five timer would pay about 2661/1.

 

13:50 Coral Chesterfield Cup – 1m2f

Just Fine won by a wide margin at Sandown this time last year (1m2f, good to firm) but the handicapper took his measure. He’s has run creditably in some good 1m4f events this year and was luckless at York 17 days ago (extended 1m2f, good to firm). A repeat of that or better, of which he is probably capable, suggests he could be a big player.

Caradoc tends to produce his best on a sound or fast surface. He was second in this (heavy) last year, which given the conditions was a good effort. He’s better off at the weights with Moktasaab than when the latter beat him over C&D in April (good to firm) and ran with some credit at York last time.

Given all of that, he’s entitled to plenty of respect here but it is hard to get away from MOKTASAAB, who impressed with how he drew clear that day. He looked as though he didn’t handle Epsom last month and then perhaps Royal Ascot last time came a bit too soon for him. He is not one to down tools on just because of those last couple of runs and back at this venue and over this trip, he can run a huge race.

Others of interest include Just Fine and Brilliant Night, who both ran well at York last time, while Arqoob was a good winner at Sandown Park last time and is far from discounted in what looks to be a fascinating handicap.

15:00 – World Pool Lennox Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

The return to 7f can prove beneficial to SACRED, who is taken score for the third time in Group company over this trip.

The William Haggas-trained daughter of Exceed And Excel ran a cracker to be fifth (beaten 1l) in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, over a stiff 6f and given how few races she has run, there is still scope for improvement.

Her main danger could prove to be Ever Given, whom followers may recall I tipped when he scored at Chester’s May meeting. He’s not had all his own way since then but did win the Listed Surrey Stakes over today’s trip at Epsom’d Derby meeting. Hxe is unexposed over this distance and looks to be value at around 20/1 for each-way players.

Lusail has been keeping elite company of late, being placed against his own age in Group 1 races on her last two outings (he was narrowly beaten in the St James’s Palace Stakes last time) and, having twice won Group 2 races as a juvenile, he could have a huge say back at this level.

Of the remainder, Kinross (who won this last year on soft) can’t be ruled out after a decent effort in the Platinum Jubilee and his form with Pogo, who has made all in Group 3s on his last two starts, suggests that he too has to be much respected.

16:10 – Nicholson Gin Handicap – 5f

The favourite Dusky Lord remains of interest and he met with some traffic when beaten by CELSIUS at Newmarket last time. The former now sports first-time cheekpieces, which may be that extra little boost that he requires to get his nose in front.

However, the Tom Clover-trained Celsius made his own luck under Jack Mitchell at the July meeting, racing up in the vanguard in his group throughout and once asked the question, he ran on well and was always in control. That was back up close to a personal best effort and this lightly-raced C&D winner looks capable of defying a 5lb rise and winning again.

It’s easy to see why Dusky Lord’s Newmarket followers might stick with him this time, given his 5lb pull with the winner that day and the fitting of that new headgear. He is two years the junior of Celsius and, after just eight starts, is open to more improvement. He is much respected.

Last year’s winner Lord Riddiford is back for a second attempt. He hasn’t scored since that success 12-months ago, when 1lb higher. Although it was soft that day, he is versatile with regard to conditions and as a dual winner at the meeting, I wouldn’t worry about what has gone on in-between. Trainer John Quinn will have him cherry ripe for this.

Stone Of Destiny and Embour are others who could get involved if bringing their ‘A’ games.

16:45

CELTIC CHAMPION is a half-brother to the top sprinter Dragon Symbol and after blowing the start at Windsor on debut, there was plenty to like about how he recovered to finish third. A line through the winner Bluelight Bay suggests that he likely favourite here, Mischief Magic has a similar chance but the latter is over a point shorter in the pre-race markets and the value surely has to be with the Andrew Balding-trained runner.

Supreme King was sent off as the favourite on debut at Haydock recently and looked a decent sort, despite being beaten. He is from a prolific family and could come on plenty for that effort, so can’t be ruled out.

Chartwell House ran well when going close last time behind Eminency, who has entries in both Listed and valuable sales company. That suggests that the William Knight-trained colt is also potentially smart and he could again be heavily involved.

Of the newcomers, Atomic Impact, a brother to 1m winner Dandy Maestro and half-brother to five winners, out of Group 1 Coronation Stakes winner Maids Causeway, makes a fair bit of appeal on pedigree.

17:20 – Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Fillies’ Handicap – 1m

This looks a good piece of placement by Sir Michael Stoute, who saddles CRYSTAL CAPRICE for her handicap debut.

The daughter of Frankel was very impressive in dotting up against a field of maidens at Yarmouth last time (1m) and on that evidence she may have got in lightly here off a mark of 87.

Breaking Light returned from wind surgery to win on her handicap debut (7f) at Haydock recently, when she drew clear and suggested she’d have even more to offer over this trip. She is up 5lb for that but is feared.

Wilderness Girl was a maiden winner here last year and put up a good effort at Haydock last time. That was an improved performance and she’s only seen the racecourse on five occasions, so there looks sure to be more to come from her, especially now back up to a mile.

15:35 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes

The roof would be raised here if Stradivarius proved good enough to win yet another Group 1 to add to his magnificent career and if he does so it will be without the services of Frankie Dettori in the saddle.

The much-publicised disappointment of owner Bjorn Nielsen at Frankie’s ride on Stradivarius in last month’s Ascot Gold Cup has cost the Italian the mount on his old favourite, with Andrea Atzeni taking the reins.

Of course, we can’t rule out the great stayer from another, possibly final, glory day but the signs have been there in the past year that he is a little past his best.

That should clear the way for KYPRIOS to add to his Gold Cup win and continue his own upward trajectory. Vastly inferior to Stradivarius in terms of experience – he has run just seven times – the stayers’ world currently looks to be his oyster.

The relatively slow pace in the Gold Cup looked like it might suit him, given his form over shorter but, in fact, his sustained effort up the home straight there suggested that he would have won by further off a strong pace.

Either way, this drop back to two miles should be ideal and he is open to more improvement, which has to be a concern to all eight of his opponents.

Last year’s winner Trueshan could again have a major say, especially if there is any ‘soft’ in the going description, while Coltrane absolutely dotted up in Listed company at Sandown Park last time and is another improver who cannot be discounted.

 

14:25 Japan Racing Association Vintage Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

HOLLOWAY BOY was pitched in at Listed level on debut in the Chesham Stakes last month. He was nibbled at in to 40/1 before being played late to land the odds in fine style, showing plenty of promise in the process.

You’d have to expect the son of Ulysses to improve on that performance and, if that proves to be the case, he should prove very difficult to beat.

Mysterious Knight is an improving performer whose staying-on third behind Persian Force in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket last time was a good performance in the context of this race. He would still need to better that if Holloway Boy repeats his debut effort but after just three runs himself, he may also improve.

The Charlie and Mark Johnston-trained Dear My Friend won a modest Carlisle novice event going away on debut (6f, good) and stepped up significantly on that when making virtually all to score at Beverley (7½f, good to firm) by 5l under a penalty last month. That excellent effort suggests that the Pivotal colt should not be dismissed lightly.

Stable companion Dornoch Castle has put up two similar performances in winning novice events at Haydock (7f, good) and then, under a penalty at Ayr (7f, good), when the 1/6 favourite.

It would have been good to see him step up on his debut effort last time but there is still plenty of time for him to step up on that and he can’t be ruled out.

Galeron made big strides on his Goodwood debut effort when returning to that track and scoring in maiden company (6f, good to firm) last time.

Marbaan is another improver, though not at the rate of some aforementioned runners, while Dark Thirty’s Group 2 Superlative Stakes third suggests he’d be no shock winner either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the eve of the summer classic that is Glorious Goodwood, the global eyes of racing will be centred on West Sussex this week.

As five days of elite flat racing lay in wait from Tuesday, here, we take a look at one of the favourites to win Jockey of the Week: Ryan Moore.

A native of Brighton along the coast in neighbouring East Sussex, the 38-year-old three-time Champion Jockey’s was again crowned Leading Jockey at Royal Ascot last month, taking seven wins and four runners-up placings across the five days in Berkshire.

With eight wins during the last fortnight, seven of those, however, have been on Irish soil at Leopardstown and The Curragh.

Retaining his rather inconsistent record on home turf this season and having taken just one win during the July Festival at Newmarket, might another five-day stint resurrect his fortunes?

Here are our pick of Ryan’s confirmed rides.

 

Kyprios, Goodwood Cup, Tuesday, 15:35

The highlight of not only opening day but perhaps the week is the Goodwood Cup, as once more Kyprios and Stradivarius lock horns.

With Frankie Dettori replaced with Andrea Atzeni on the might Stradi this time around, revenge will be on the menu for the Gosdens but Kyprios was dominant in the Ascot Gold Cup and will take some beating here.

Hollie Doyle and Trueshan will also supply a significant threat but Moore’s mount looks the class apar. Looking to make it four for four this season, set to go off at around 6/4f.

 

Crystal Caprice, Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Fillies’ Handicap, Tuesday, 17:20

Opening day also sees another strong hope for Moore with Sir Michael Stoute’s 3yo riser.

With just three races under the filly’s belt, a win at Yarmouth last time out could prove the yardstick for the daughter of Frankel.

It could be double delight on Tuesday with Crystal Caprice at around 9/4.

 

Order of Australia, Sussex Stakes, Wednesday, 15:35

A horse who has been on BestofBets tracker for a while, A P O ‘Brien’s 5yo comes into Wednesday’s main event fresh from winning the Romanised Minstrel Stakes for a second year on the bounce at The Curragh just over a week ago.

Impressing in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, Order of Australian came home third at a massive price of 18/1 behind Baaeed and Real World.

Baaeed will again be the overwhelming favourite here at around 2/11 but Moore could push both Jim Crowley’s ride and the July Cup-winning Alcohol Free hard here.

At the very least merits e/w investment at 11/1.

 

Migdam, Kincsem Handicap, Thursday, 13:50

An impressive French colt, Moore and Stoute are set to team up once more at Goodwood this week with Migdam.

The 3yo has lost just once in four – as a debutante – but seen victory in the last three entries and been a handsome winner by at least 1½ lengths on each occasion.

Winning the only race this season at Doncaster last month, there is slight asterisk to this pick with Moore potentially opting to go with Operating in this race instead but if he is the mount, 6/1 looks a good bet.

 

Hoo Ya Mal, Gordon Stakes, Thursday, 15:00

Though without a win this term, all three of Hoo Ya Mal’s outings have been not without huge positives.

Beaten by expected 5/2f Desert Crown in the Cazoo Derby, the 3yo’s astonishing 150/1 price would have left many in the ring grinning from ear-to-ear.

Here, a 3/1 price for Andrew Balding sees vastly different expectations and with New London his main rival, it could though be fourth time lucky for trainer George Boughey.

LEZOO may have had her colours lowered by Mawj at Newmarket’s July meeting but she remains on an upward curve and can make this drop back into Group 3 company count.

The form of both her 6f Listed win at that track last month, as well as that Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes run, are both the strongest on offer in this field. She remains open to more improvement, despite the slight lowering of sights here and this should work out as a really good piece of placement by trainer Ralph Beckett.

Glenlaurel is certainly not dismissed in opposition but needs to find around 20lbs to trouble the selection and that won’t be easy. Even so, the manner of her fillies’ novice success at Thirsk on debut suggests that she is potentially smart.

Kinta stepped up well on her Lingfield debut win when adding to that at Kempton last time. She makes her turf debut here and is respected but two others might perhaps be worth a look for potential each-way players.

Palm Lily is another Beckett inmate who scored first time out at Kempton Park last month. She is another who needs a leap forward but it is encouraging that her trainer feels she is up to this. She could be capable of picking up some black type and the same applies to the William Haggas-trained Royal Charter.

This daughter of Expert Eye was held up on debut, before being produced late by Stevie Donohoe to win a fillies’ maiden on Newmarket’s July Course (6f, good).

She too needs to step up plenty on that but, like Beckett, Haggas doesn’t throw them in at this level without thinking plenty of them.

While I am no advocate for backing several on a regular basis, I like the chance of LEZOO for the win, but for those looking for value, the 8/1 about Royal Charter to make the frame looks very tempting.

 

15:00 Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – 7f

This looks like another typical big field Ascot sprint handicap and a very good one at that, with the BHA top-rated Accidental Agent the best in the field on a mark of 112.

That runner’s stablemate Jumby comes into consideration, after going close in both the Wokingham and the Bunbury Cup on his last two starts. He has plenty going for him and should again be thereabouts.

Tactical was comfortably held when upped to Group 2 level here in the Summer Mile earlier in the month. He’d previously run well over this C&D in the Buckingham Palace Stakes and his jockey that day, Ryan Moore, is back on board.

He is feared but preference is for RHOSCOLYN. He bombed out when last seen in the Bunbury Cup and was virtually pulled up by James Doyle. He’s owned by the Horse Watchers, who include TV pundits Chris and Martin Dixon, a couple of great lads who would not be running the four-year-old so soon if he wasn’t 100 per cent.

However, he would have a very good chance if back to the form of his Buckingham Palace Stakes third behind Inver Park last month, when he ran on well in a first-time tongue-tie. That is back retained for this race, and this stiff 7f on fast ground clearly suits.

I’m prepared to forgive him that latest aberration and side with the David O’Meara-trained runner.

 

Just half a dozen go to post for a race that is always one of the most eagerly anticipated of any Flat campaign.

The three-year-olds take on the older horses and this race is littered with great performances and fantastic renewals, the one that everyone points to being that famed clash between Grundy and Bustino way back in 1975, which was dubbed the ‘Race of the Century’ at the time.

We’re in another century now but that tingle of anticipation doesn’t fade, for this time we have the Irish Derby winner and Epsom third, Westover, taking on the brilliant filly Emily Upjohn, while the magnificent Mishriff and last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso are also among the field.

At longer odds, neither Broome, who represents Aidan O’Brien, nor Pyledriver, who won last year’s Group 1 Coronation Cup, can’t be written off.

So who is going to write their name into racing history this time?

I was at the Curragh when WESTOVER won the Irish Derby and he was very impressive, in bolting clear of his field and he could probably have won over further. Colin Keane, who rode him that day as a theoretical one-off because it was at a track he knows well, has retained the mount in  a

Hornby had been on board when Westover was slightly unlucky to have to settle for third in the Derby at Epsom last month. He made rapid strides that day and confirmed that was no fluke in Ireland.

At these weights, he has to be the pick. He’s still on an upward curve, has yet to be fully extended and looks capable of a fair bit more improvement.

You’d have to be respectful of the chance of Musidora winner and Oaks second Emily Upjohn. Frankie Dettori retains the mount, despite coming in for criticism for his ride on her at Epsom, when the flew home late but could not peg back Tuesday.

More than anyone, Frankie will want to get it right this time and, with all the allowances, the filly cannot be ruled out. This stiff circuit should, arguably, be even more to her liking than either York or Epsom.

Mishriff has a string of top prizes to his name, including last year’s Dubai Sheema Classic and Juddmonte International on the Knavesmire. I was at Sandown Park for the Eclipse recently and put this horse up each-way, as I thought he was a silly price for what he’d achieved, despite conceding weight.

He duly ran a cracker, though it always felt like it was a prep race of sorts for this. In selecting Westover, it is this Gosden runner that I fear the most. He’s a world class performer who will be cherry ripe for this and he should go very close again.

He’s not really backable each-way at 7/2 in a six-runner field, but it might be prudent to back him as a win ‘saver’ to recover your Westover stake, should he prove good enough to beat the three-year-old.

Conditions will be vastly different from the heavy ground on which Torquator Tasso won the Arc, and there is no doubt that he would be a much shorter price if the was any ‘soft’ in the going description. Hugely respected though he is – he won a German Group 2 last time on good to soft – he is not going to be seen to best effect on the fast ground forecast for the Berkshire track.

The Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes winner Broome is priced up at 18/1, but that was a C&D success and on fast ground. Aidan O’Brien is unlikely to be sending him back if he didn’t think he had some sort of chance. That Hardwicke win was a career-best, so he may still be eek out a little more from the Australia colt and he can’t be written off.

Pyledriver is a very good horse on his day. His form is perhaps a bit less consistent than some at this elite level and he too would prefer slightly slower ground than forecast to be seen to best effect.

Cartmel 12:30 – William Hill Racing Radio Handicap Hurdle (3m1½f)

This looks competitive despite the field being only seven strong and it’s one of those races where you could make a case for most of them. That suggests that there is value to be had.

Four of the runners won last time, so they are bound to be fancied by someone and, more importantly, the bookies are bound to shorten them as a result.

That means that Jelski, who dotted up here (2m6f, good to soft) on his penultimate start by 25-lengths, has slipped under the radar.

Admittedly, he was pulled up back here last time over that same trip, having gone up 11lbs. However, the manner of his win on June 1 suggests that he still has claims here, provided you can forgive him that latest effort.

There was no explanation for it following a vet’s examination but, the ‘will he, won’t he bounce back’ question is reflected in odds of 12/1.

Trainer Jimmy Moffatt loves having winners at his home track and he’d not have him back here three weeks or so after that run if he didn’t feel he is ready to do himself justice.

He looks an each-way play at 12s and if you can get three places with anyone, then that may be prudent.

Cartmel 13:00 – Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle (2m6f)

There are 14 declared for this staying handicap hurdle, which has an open look to it.

I quite like the look of a sporting each-way play on the 16/1 chance Dan Gun, who represents Simon Waugh.

Already a C&D winner in May, when just 3lb lower, he acts well on a sound surface and has a feather weight to carry by comparison to plenty of opponents who are shorter in the market.

Although he weakened out of it back over C&D last time, that was on slower ground and he is significantly better when conditions are as forecast, good.

With so many in the field you’ll get the first three placing and may even be able to find four places with some bookmakers. He must have an excellent chance of that.

 

Cartmel 13:30 – ABF The Soldiers Charity Handicap Hurdle (2m1f)

Another 14-runner handicap hurdle, this time over shorter and I’d like to put up another each-way suggestion here in Calliope, who is 10/1 at the time of writing and knows her way around here.

She won here over 2m6f last year when conditions were described as good but she is versatile with regard to trip and has been third back here over this C&D on her last two starts.

She’s been dropped another 1lb since one of those third-placed efforts, in a mares’ handicap hurdle on Saturday, she rarely runs a bad race at this track and she looks value against one or two shorter-priced runners in the field.

 

 

Ayr 13:50 – Ayr Sunday Market At Ayr Racecourse Apprentice Handicap (1m5f)

A modest turnout and this looks a good opportunity for Graces Quest to make it a third win since joining Jim Goldie, who has already prepared her to score at both Musselburgh (1m4½f, good to firm) and Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm).

The four-year-old filly has been particularly consistent in four of her last five starts now and is running to a level that suggests there is another win in her from this current BHA mark of 67.

She gets the sound surface that she thrives on and, if it dries even more, then that will be even better for her.

This is a very slight step up in trip for her but you’d have to say that, from the way she runs, she is highly likely to get home and although she’ll probably go off as the favourite, she does look to have a favourite’s chance.

 

Ayr 15:00 – Jordan North @Scottish Sun Ladies Night Handicap (6f)

I’m going for a Jim Goldie double at Ayr and horse in question in this second leg goes by the name of Classy Al.

The Fountain Of Youth gelding sprang a 22/1 surprise over this C&D (good) in April, which was a career-best at the time.

He flopped when back here next time on soft ground, with jockey Paul Mulrennan describing him as running too free.

Having taken a step back in the right direction at Hamilton next time, he returned to this C&D a couple of weeks ago and produced another ‘PB’ when scoring from a mark of 60.

The ground was good again that day and that remains the case for Monday. He has only gone up 3lb for getting his nose in front and Goldie, who is excellent at squeezing extra bits of improvement out of his inmates, can probably raise the bar again.

At around 9/2, he looks to have a seriously good chance.

 

 

 

 

13:30 Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes – 7f

Just six face the starter in another maiden to open the card. Achillea is the only one of the field with any racecourse experience and ran with credit on debut at Newbury.

However, it is hard to believe that there won’t be a newcomer to beat Achilles and the two more interesting runners on pedigree are perhaps Her Majesty The Queen’s Blue Missile and the Lope De Vega filly LUCKIN BREW.

The latter is the suggestion, though of course do keep an eye on the market here.

The selection is a sister to Antonio De Vega, a 7f 2yo winner who scored at Group 3 level, while her dam was a Listed-placed 7f winner. This trip looks a good starting point for her and, with Running Lion representing the Gosdens and the also well bred Frankness involved for the Andrew Balding team, it could develop into both a competitive and informative contest.

14:05 Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap – 7f

Truly Acclaimed arrives seeking a hat-trick and has been improving in recent times, scoring in a Class 4 at York in May and following up last month at Ayr. 

He’s been claimer-ridden for several starts now and that’s the case again here. He could still be well treated but more obviously so that looks to be the case with KIDWAH.

William Haggas trains this Kodiac filly, who was a comfortable Doncaster maiden winner (6f, soft) on debut, while she stepped up significantly on that when romping home by more than 4l at Redcar last time (6f, good).

Very much an improving filly, she looks to be a potential Group horse running in a handicap here and is taken to score.

Golden Spice was below par at Royal Ascot last time (1m, good to firm) in the Sandringham. Prior to that, she had won back-to-back over 7f and now returning to that trip, she could bounce back and go close.

14:40 bet365 Mile Handicap – 1m

Just the ‘dead eight’ has been declared for this Class 2 contest and it’s a race that looks quite open.

Laasudood won a 7f Kempton maiden when with Sir Michael Stoute last season and has improved on that in both starts since joining Richard Hannon this term. In two starts, he’s been stepped up to around a mile and his most recent success, at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) suggests he may still be ahead of the handicapper, despite a 7lb rise.

JIMI HENDRIX is coming along steadily and ran an absolute cracker at 20/1 when third in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot. He’s already a winner over this trip and there will surely be more to come from him.

Bay Of Honour looks to be a serious player. Charlie Appleby’s Shamardal colt won a Kempton novice event (7f, AW) last year and beat the right horse into second when making a big improvement to land a Thirsk novice event (1m, good) on his reappearance last month. He’ll need more of that to defy this initial handicap mark of 94 but that looks possible, so he can’t be ruled out lightly.

The unexposed, hat-trick seeking Be Lucky My Son looks in need of a more significant improvement from his most recent run to this than some of this field and might find at least one too good.

 15:15 bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

Just five go to post for this. The Charlie Appleby/Godolphin team already think enough of VICTORY DANCE to have given him an entry in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh in September.

Therefore, there’s no surprise to see the son of Dubawi put in as the favourite, having won a novice event over this C&D last month. You’d expect him to come on plenty for that first run and with the stable in good form, he is taken to make a successful step up into Group company. 

Lion Of War scored on debut at Leicester (7f, good to firm) last month, before going on to make all and score by 10l in a Newcastle novice event (7f, AW) a couple of weeks later.

He looks well worth his place in this race as a result of that and he should be capable of going close.

There was nothing wrong with how Isaac Shelby did his job in winning a Newbury maiden over an extended 6f on debut (good to soft). The form of that race is working out well and his chance is much respected as a result, with some natural improvement likely.

15:50 bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) – 7f

The strong-travelling MONTASSIB was unbeaten for his first three starts and ran with plenty of credit when fifth in the 29-runner Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

He looks particularly well treated based on his Goodwood win prior to that Ascot run and it would be no surprise to see him bounce right back to win again.

Samburu has a similar profile to Montassib, having kicked off his career with a hat-trick. Instead of the handicap route, he went to the Group 3 Jersey Stakes (7f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) at Royal Ascot, where he was perhaps a bit too keen and eventually finished a 3l sixth, which still represented progress.

Rhoscolyn ran a blinder to be a 1l third in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, which suggests there may still be a little more to come from him, despite already having had 20 starts.

He’s on the same mark of 103 for this and is a 12/1 chance. For me, he looks some each-way value for those wanting to take on the favourite, whom he finished ahead of at the royal meeting.

Al Rufaa and, if he runs here rather than on Friday, Lord Rapscallion are both of interest at 20/1 and bigger and you could do worse than having a small each-way interest.

16:25 Darley July Cup Stakes (Group 1) – 6f

The centrepiece of the entire meeting takes place as the penultimate race on the final day. 

No favourite has won this race for the past five years, and only three ‘jollies’ in the last decade have been successful.

Both Aidan O’Brien and Clive Cox have won the race twice during that period but Cox does not have an entry this time and O’Brien relies on the 25/1 chance CADAMOSTO, who has been a drifter in the build-up and has over 2l to find with the favourite, Perfect Power, from their Commonwealth Cup run at last month’s royal meeting.

Seamie Heffernan steps in for the mount (Ryan Moore has ridden him in all six career starts so far) on this improver, who is unlikely to have been entered for the trip across the Irish sea. He needs improvement but that is not impossible and he has around half a stone to find.

Naval Crown is 4-14 and arrives on the back of Group 1 success in the Platinum Jubilee success, when he finished a neck to the good over his reopposing stable companion, the better fancied Creative Force. The latter would be better-placed if any rain came but that is not forecast. Artorius was third behind that pair at Royal Ascot and there is no obvious reason why he will turn the tables. Having said that, he certainly can’t be ruled out.

Perfect Power won the Commonwealth Cup with some degree of comfort, producing his best yet. He is largely consistent and didn’t get home over a mile in the 2,000 Guineas behind Coroebus. He gets 7f and that will be no bad thing, as they will go hell-for-leather over shorter here. He is a massive player. 

17:00 Moet & Chandon Handicap – 1m4f

And so to the last race of the 2022 Newmarket July Festival.

Another small field, just six, goes to post for this 0-90 contest, which is reasonably open.

The Andrew Balding-trained Bizarre Law is the talking horse, having come into this from a marked improvement in scoring at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) last month in the same grade.

ADJUVANT is interesting. His form has plateaued out over 1m2f but his dam won over this trip and it offers the possibility of further improvement, now trying it for the first time. With 5lb claimed off his back he looks too big to let pass by at 13/2.

Glen Savage was a debut winner at Newbury in April 2021. He was then off the track until being supported in to 7/2 when reappearing at Doncaster (1m2f, good) last month. He was hampered inside the final furlong that day and might have finished closer. 

There’s plenty of stamina on the dam’s side of his pedigree and he could have a huge say from a mark of just 89.

Commonsensical has put together three good efforts since joining Hugo Palmer, winning the first and most recent of them (1m2f, good; 1m3f, good to firm). He should get every yard of this and is not ruled out from a fair mark of 88.

13:15 Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes – 7f

Just like the first race on day one, just three of this field have any prior public experience. Of that trio, there was plenty of promise in the debut by HOPE YOU CAN RUN at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last month.

Always thereabouts, he took to his job well that day and found just one too good. Like most Johnston-trained runners, he’ll come on for the run and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t go very close again.

Flying Honours looks an interesting newcomer. A Sea The Stars colt, he represents Godolphin and is trained by Charlie Appleby, who has won three of the last six runnings of this race. A brother to a staying winner in France, Snow Tempest, his dam won from 1m1f-1m3½f and this 7f trip should be an ideal starting point.

He probably looks the pick of the Godolphin/Appleby pair, Desert Order perhaps being more one for next year.

The Andrew Balding-trained Leadman is the other newcomer of significant interest. His brother Baseman is a 1m winner and his half-brother Georgeville won at around 1m2f and is an even better performer. His dam is also a Group 3 winner at around today’s trip and it would be no surprise to see this Kingman colt put up a big debut effort.

13:50 bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) – 1m2f

There’s no doubt that NEW LONDON was a disappointment in the Group 3 Chester Vase but he went into that 2-2 and perhaps it was more about Ryan Moore burgling the race on Changingoftheguard, as the Charlie Appleby-trained New London was not far off the level of his previous winning performance.

He’s a Group horse dropping back into a handicap here and I expect him to kick on again and show his class with a win, especially dropping back to a trip over which he is already proven.

Yonafis completed a hat-trick at around a mile on the all weather and was 22/1 for the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot, when he was eighth of 30, beaten over 4l. He’s by Golden Horn, so this step up to 1m2f ought to suit and he is potentially well handicapped from a mark of 92.

Charlie Appleby second string Natural World made good progress from his debut win at Newbury to his second run, in Listed company at Lingfield in May. He pulled far too hard when last of six in a Goodwood Listed contest later that month and, now gelded, he may be able to kick on again. He looks a potential player.

Reelemin is another with claims, while at longer prices, 20/1 shot Schmilsson looks interesting, reverting back to the trip over which he won a Bath maiden. He looks worth an each-way interest.

14:25 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Sponsored By bet365) (Group 2) – 6f

MAYLANDSEA looked potentially useful when winning on debut at Nottingham and was pitched straight in at Group 2 level in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm). A 28/1 chance there, she may have been no match for the winner Dramatised, but she still made a huge improvement in finishing second.

The step up in trip offers further possibilities for improvement and she looks a huge player here.

Lezoo is 2-2 and looks a serious challenger. Ralph Beckett’s filly scored on debut at Bath (5f, good) and improved significantly when a ready winner of the Listed Empress Fillies’ Stakes over this C&D last month.

Already proven over this trip as a result, she is not taken on lightly.

Mawj was a debut winner on the Rowley Course (6f, good to firm) in May and made some improvement on that when under 2l second in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she showed a good attitude.

She hasn’t achieved what the aforementioned pair have just yet but there is still time for her to do so and she should again be very competitive.

The other trio need significant improvement to win a race like this.

15:00 bet365 Trophy (Heritage Handicap) – 1m6f

Candleford is put in at just 10/3 by most firms here and on the back of his 6l Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes win at Royal Ascot, he looks to have a huge chance. He’s already just 10/1 for the Ebor, so if you fancy him to double up, I’d be getting on before this race.

Up 13lb for that Royal Ascot success, he still looks well treated on the proviso that he can produce something similar. He’ll be tough to beat but the bookies are not giving anything away at these prices.

Contact finished just over 7l behind him in third that day and has a 13lb pull for that, which can’t be taken lightly. He’d arrived at Royal Ascot on the back of wins at Newmarket (Rowley Course) and Haydock and had also looked one of the better treated Duke Of Edinburgh runners until being put in his place.

Midnights Legacy has some good 1m4f to his name. He’s been placed over this trip and is unexposed over it, so makes some appeal.

TRAWLERMAN bombed out in the Duke Of Edinburgh, when one of the joint favourites but he is better than that and, on the evidence of his Chelmsford win in April, could be thrown in here from a mark of 98, provided you can forgive him his Royal Ascot run. He is more than twice the price of the favourite and can be backed each-way.

The 132-rated hurdler Zoffee has joined Hugo Palmer from Philip Hobbs for this Flat campaign and has been improving, winning his last two over 1m6f (good) at Carlisle and most recently, an extended 2m on Newcastle’s Tapeta, in the Northumberland Plate.

He’s up 6lb for that, which can only be expected, but there could be more to come and he looks sure to get the strong pace he’ll need here.

Others with claims include Soapy Stevens, Spirit Mixer and Dubai Welcome.

 

15:35 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) – 1m

Of all the races on the three days, this one really ought to be a procession.

The biggest question over INSPIRAL in recent days appeared to be whether or not Frankie Dettori would be allowed to ride the Frankel filly.

With the Gosden-Dettori spat apparently all sorted, the Italian ace is back on board and this should be an exercise canter for a filly who has carried all before her thus far.

Unbeaten at two, culminating in a her Group 1 Fillies’ Mile success on the neighbouring Rowley Mile, she trounced her field in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, on last month’s delayed return to action.

It will be some shock if anything is good enough to lower her colours here.

She’ll be very short, so if you’re looking to forecast her with something, my idea of the runner-up is Prosperous Voyage, who was second to her in that Fillies’ Mile last year.

16:10 Arioneo Handicap – 7f

Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Nizaaka has been put in as the ‘jolly’ for this race after a C&D success last month, when the front pair were 2l clear of the field.

A 5lb rise looks fair, she has the profile of a steady improver and she’d have to be considered a serious player again at this 0-90 level.

Dashing Dick is rated 1lb inferior to the favourite and has yet to win at this level, but his 7f Leicester success (good to soft) from April, and his close second back over that C&D (good to firm) last month both suggest that he can have a big say at a double-figure price. He’s a best-priced 11/1 at the moment and looks a bit of each-way value.

LORD RAPSCCALLION is another worth considering. He’s up 1lb for going close in a competitive Class 2 event here over C&D recently. He’ll surely appreciate a slight drop in grade and he might just be the answer at 6/1, representing the Stuart Williams team, one that is in pretty good form at present.

16:45 Moet & Chandon Handicap – 5f

This looks tough! 14 face the starter in the ‘lucky last’ on day two and they go 6/1 the field.

There was plenty to like about the narrow win by Ancient Times at Musselburgh last time out, beating an in-form rival in doing so. He is now 4-12 and has won both starts since reverting to 5f, improving in the process. A 5lb rise will ask more questions but Hayley Turner is back on board, she knows him well and the partnership should go very close.

Navello is typical of sprinters who have their day but also find it tricky to go close every time. He has put up one good run followed by a less impressive one in turn this season. He did the job well at Chester last time, recording a career-best in the process. However, whether he can find that level again now 3lb higher, there has to be at least some doubt.

Tees Spirit has already probably had his big race for the season when winning at Epsom on Derby Day, although he matched that effort in a valuable handicap at the Curragh last time, when sixth of 18.

He returns to these shores 6lb higher than that Epsom success and needing improvement to add this to his CV.

There are several other last-time winners who could fancy their chances too but I’m taking a 16/1 shot to come good again this time.

NIGHT ON EARTH has the form to win this race, despite being well beaten on his last three starts. Those all came in better races than this, however. He’s not dropped to a mark of 91 and in grade, he has a new headgear combination on and he’s also drawn towards the stands rail, which is no bad thing. He looks a sporting bet at a price and you can get on each-way to three or maybe even four places if you shop around.

13:20 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes – 5f

Very little for us to go on here, with only three of the nine declared runners having seen a racecourse in public before.

Of that trio, IVORY MADONNA looks the pick, having shown promise on her debut at Goodwood, before finishing third in the Group 3 Albany Stakes (6f, good to firm) at Royal Ascot last month, when an unfancied 66/1 chance.

A slight concern has to be that she has been ponderous when the gates have gone back on both occasions and she contests a race over a furlong shorter this time but you would hope there has been a bit of work in the stalls since then. She certainly has the speed when she gets going, as was evident in her Ascot run.

The most interesting of the newcomers is Canadiansmokeshow, who is trained by Sean Woods, back in Newmarket after 20 years training abroad. He’s booked Ryan Moore for this €290,000 yearling, who is a half-sister to Going Global, Mitbaahy, and Finians Bay, all three of whom were rated over 100 and two of whom won at two.

 

13:50  Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) – 1m5f

The Derby fourth, MASEKELA, should come here full of confidence after finishing just over 8l behind Desert Crown in the Blue Riband, when a 66/1 shot.

As soon as you saw that run, you’d have this sort of race in mind for him. A couple of steps down in grade and the potential for another improved effort. There is always the possibility that the Derby might have taken the edge off him but he was held up there and came home well. He didn’t look to have had that hard-a-race when I saw him afterwards.

Walk Of Stars was a much better fancied 11/1 chance in the Epsom Classic and he ran a stinker, reportedly stopping quickly and finishing stone last. His Lingfield Derby Trial second that preceded that is a good piece of form in the context of this race and if he is back on-song (he’s been gelded since the Derby) then he could be a big player.

 

14:25 Close Brothers July Stakes (Group 2) – 6f

A super race is in prospect here with the leading players being Little Big Bear and PERSIAN FORCE and the latter is just preferred.

Little Big Bear ran a cracker to win the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes (5f, good to firm) at Royal Ascot, where the front pair had breathing space over the remainder. Ryan Moore retains the partnership for Aidan O’Brien’s team and he is not passed over lightly, as he has the potential to do better again now reverting to this longer trip. 

The selection is clearly the current apple of trainer Richard Hannon’s eye and was second in the 17-runner Group 2 Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting (6f, good to firm), having trounced the Brocklesby field at Doncaster on debut and backed that up with a very comfortable Newbury conditions win.

Hannon described the son of Mehmas as “special” after his Coventry run and, apart from being a proven contender at this level, given that he “ran around a bit” that day (the words of his trainer), he surely has more to offer when nailing a fully-formed performance.

As you never know with such young horses who will improve the most, you could conceivably back both of these. If so, I’d be with Persian Force for the win and Little Big Bear to cover my Persian Force stake. 

The fly in the ointment could possibly be Mysterious Night, who has twice run well at Newbury, winning a 6½f novice event there second time out. He has the potential to do better and it is unlikely that Charlie Appleby would be tilting at this is he didn’t feel the Dark Angel colt could do himself justice. He’s around about 6/1 and in an eight-runner field, could represent the proverbial ‘each-way bet to nothing’.

 

15:00 Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) – 6f

The biggest field of day one, 19, goes to post for what should be a cracker of a sprint handicap.

Khanjar was a big market drifter before dotting up at Ripon (6f, good) last month. He’s gone up 9lb for that 3l success and is now 2-2 over this trip. He looks a big player and is the clear favourite at around 9/2 at the time of writing.

DEODAR was second in last year’s Listed Doncaster Stakes (6f, soft) but that remains his best effort. He returned to Town Moor to win over the same C&D (good to firm) on his reappearance but was then too keen when running here over 7f (good) last month, when a beaten favourite.

The return to 6f ought to suit him, as should a 2lb drop. If the application of blinkers also proves positive, he looks the value in this race to me, at around 8/1. Ryan Moore is booked. If all of that helps him produce anything within 3-4lb of that Doncaster Stakes run, he’d look well treated here.

Ingra Tor ran a stinker at York last time, when favourite for a similar race to this. He won over 6f on the Rowley Mile on his penultimate start. If you can forgive that latest effort, he’d also look interesting as an each-way play at around 9/1. On the form of that Newmarket win, he still looks well treated.

Another at longer odds who could make the frame is Aasser. He drops back from a couple of second-placed efforts over 7f. He went close at Ayr last time and the first-time cheekpieces he tried there are now swapped for a visor. William Buick rides for Karl Burke. I wouldn’t expect to see him played until late but he’ll get every bit of the pace he needs over this shorter trip and could nab a place late on.

 

15:35 Princess Of Wales’s Close Brothers Stakes (Group 2) – 1m4f

The consistent MOSTAHDAF can gain due reward for that strong level of form in this Group 2 event.

The son of Frankel has won four of his seven starts and being second in two of the other three, the only serious blip coming in last year’s St James’s Palace Stakes.

He finished that campaign with Group 3 success on the nearby Rowley Course in the Darley Stakes, matching that effort with another win at that level in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown Park in April. 

There was no disgrace in being beaten 5l by Bay Bridge in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3) back at that venue, nor when stepped up in trip and into Group 2 company and running second to Broome in the Hardwicke Stakes (1m4f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) at Royal Ascot last time.

You can pretty much set your clock by his performance here and for that reason, he is selected.

Yibir has greater talent than my pick, he’s a Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner after all (where he beat Broome ½l last November at Del Mar). He ran below par when beaten on the Rowley Course by Living Legend in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes in April and has since been third in the Group 1 Man o’War Stakes at Belmont Park.

If he brings his ‘A’ game he’ll be a huge player and I’d expect him to reverse placings with Living Legend, who is trained by Charlie and Mark Johnston, three-time winners of this event in the last decade.

It’s not easy to see any of the other trip being good enough to win this.

 

16:10 Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m

The penultimate race on day one see eight go to post, with the clear favourite being MIGHTY ULYSSES for the John and Thady Gosden yard. After their recent differences, the Gosdens and Frankie Dettori are teaming up again and they do so with the top-rated runner in this field (BHA mark 113).

A Rowley Mile winner in May (good; first-time hood), he stepped up markedly on that when a close second in the Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock next time. The Gosdens then showed what they thought of him, entering him in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.

It almost proved to be an inspired move, as when Frankie found some daylight on the outside up the home straight, the well-backed son of Ulysses had every chance. However, he couldn’t find any extra close home and lost fourth place in the dying strides, behind 2,000 Guineas winner Coroebus.

That was still a very smart effort and a reproduction of it, now dropping back to Listed company, would make him very tough to beat.

Berkshire Shadow was one place and 1l behind the selection that day, having run fifth in the Guineas at 80/1, beaten 5l. Clearly very useful, he is unexposed but doesn’t give the impression that he has quite as much more to come as Mighty Ulysses.

Of greater concern to our pick could be The Acropolis, who took a big step back in the right direction at the Curragh in Listed company recently. He looks a bit of each-way value at 13/2 if the ‘dead eight’ do make it to post.

Albahr ran well below par at Meydan when last seen in January. He’s been given time since and was a Canadian Group 1 winner (1m, good) last year, as well as having won at this level at Salisbury. Is he has been revived then he would be a huge player and is also very interesting at 7/1.

 

16:40 Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap (Class 3) – 1m

If a gelding operation has allowed Noble Dynasty to get back on track then he’d be entitled to claims here, given the form of his Thirsk win (1m, good) last season, before it all went pear-shaped.

He represents Charlie Appleby, who is seeking a hat-trick of wins in this race and at 7/1 he looks worth a small each-way play.

Stablemate Echo Point is well up to running a big race here under James Doyle. His recent form is all over 1m2f or further (didn’t stay 1m4f) but you’d have to have a fairly significant query as to whether the drop back to a mile will see things getting a bit lively for him.

Aside from a blip at Goodwood on his penultimate start, Evocative Spark has had three good runs this season since joining George Boughey. He’s up 8lb for winning at Chester (7f, good) last time and being by Frankel there is every chance he’ll have more to offer now back over 1m. He is feared.

However, ENFORCED represents a red-hot trainer in Roger Varian, arrives in cracking form after a novice win at Brighton (1m, good to firm), followed by a 0-85 handicap success over today’s C&D (good) last time. He may have got away lightly with just a 5lb rise for that and he looks the one with the most potential for progress today.