Morning all,

Day one of Newmarket’s July Festival saw two winners for Charlie Appleby. I mentioned in Wednesday’s column that the trainer runners were worth following at the meeting. Hopefully some of you got on the bigger prices that were available about Noble Dynasty in the concluding handicap.

On to Day 2. Again, ITV are covering four races live from the meeting and there also two races from day one of York’s John Smith’s Cup Meeting.

The feature race at Newmarket is the Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (3.15).  Inspiral, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, so impressive in winning the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot is long odds on to maintain her unbeaten career record. She seems to have scared off most of her rivals as only five fillies have been declared for a contest that has £250,000 guaranteed prize money.

The race of a seven-race card at York is the Group 3 William Hill Summer Stakes (2.40). The sponsors will be delighted that the field size has held up well with twelve fillies and mares declared to meet the starter for what looks a very competitive renewal.

Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to a couple of races at Newmarket. Plus, the Summer Stakes at York.

Newmarket July Festival – Day 2

1:50 – bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m 2f

There may only 12 runners, but it looks a very competitive puzzle and I have six runners within 3lb of the top-rated.

Charlie Appleby is 7 winners from 13 runners 54% +19.83 10 placed 77% with his handicappers at the July Festival since 2016 and had another winner yesterday. He runs two, favourite New London and Natural World. The former looked a promising colt when winning on the other track on his seasonal return. However, he was beaten at 4/11 in the Chester Vase on his next start. He didn’t handle the track at Chester. However, despite that setback is open to further progress dropped into handicap company.

Reelemin is 1lb out of the handicap but he’s seeking the hat trick after winning a Sandown handicap on his seasonal reappearance last month. The step up to 1m 2f suited the colt. He’s up 4lb but has a good attitude and there should be more to come from him.  High on the shortlist for a trainer whose three runners in the race have finished, second, fourth and third,

Yonafis, a winner at Wolverhampton in May, made a promising turf debut when a 4 ¼ length 8th of 30 to Thesis in Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot last time. He didn’t have the speed to be competitive over mile that day. But given his sire is Golden Horn and his dam won over 1m 2f should be capable of much better over 1m 2f

Swilcan Bridge had War Horse ¾ length back in third when winning a 1m 2f Epsom handicap last month. The third gets a 2lb pull and there shouldn’t be much between the pair at the revised weights. If War Horse settles better than he did last time I can see him reversing placings with the winner here.

Mark Johnson’s outstanding race record

Frankie Dettori is an eyecatching jockey booking for Knightswood. Trainer Mark Johnson is 6 winners from 24 runners +49.5 in the race so you respect anything the yard runs. Knightswood was a Royal Ascot eyecatcher doing better than his 7 ¾ length 6th of 13 in the Golden Gates Handicap suggests. He did best of those ridden up with the pace and despite some early keenness was still in in contention 1f and only gave way in the final half furlong. This was only his third career start and looks capable of better.

Phantom Flight was withdrawn at the start in the Golden Gates last time on his hat trick bid. Both his wins have come on a sound surface and over a mile. A mark of 95 looks tough for his handicap debut. However, he’s bred to improve for the step up to 1m 2f and has each way claims.

3:35 – Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) (British Champions Series) – 1m

Just the four fillies take on Inspiral. If she’s in the same form as when winning the Coronation Stakes then she wins. Inspiral would have to run well below par today not to add another Group 1 success to her win as she has 10lb in hand of French Challenger Sibila Spain on OR’s.

The French filly was withdrawn after getting upset in stalls prior to the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Primo Bacio finished third in that race and finished a close-up 5^th in last year’s renewal of this race. However, there doesn’t seem to be any pace in the race which won’t suit the keen going Primo Bacio. The one most likely to go forward is Sibila Spain and that means she’s the one for the forecast.

York

2:40 – William Hill Summer Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) – 6f

Three of these ran in the Commonwealth Cup last time with Flotus doing best of them finishing a 1 ¾ length 3rd of 20 to Perfect Power. It was a good effort but I’m not sure she really stays a stiff 6f. This will track suit her much better and she’s the one to beat if reproducing her best.

Zain Claudette was a 5 ¾ length 9^th in the Commonwealth Cup. That was a respectable enough seasonal return from the 3-year-old, and she should be sharper for that run. She won the Group 2 Lowther Stakes over C&D last August and if she’s back to that level of form would be there or thereabouts.

Big scopey filly Hala Hala Athmani finished a 3 ¾ length 7^th in the Commonwealth Cup. Like Zain Claudette she was making her seasonal reappearance at Royal Ascot. That was only her third career start and she’s open to plenty of improvement. There are races to be won with her this season.

Gale Force Maya won a valuable fillies handicap over C&D last month. That success came under top weight of 10-2 and that performance showed she’s well worth her place in pattern company. Suited to quick ground we know the mare is suited by C&D so everything is place for a big run.

Teresa Mendoza returned to winning ways in a 6f Listed race at the Curragh 13-days ago. Well backed before the off she got a great hold up ride from jockey Billy Lee. Despite the forecast strong pace. I’m not sure this track will suit her as well as the Curragh. But she’s in from and can’t be ruled out.

Friday Selection:

Given the Charlie Appleby record at the July Festival I could simply go for the New London in the 1:50. However, at the prices I prefer Reelemin, that's despite concerns from trainer Hughie Morrison about the quick ground. No underfoot concerns for Phantom Flight. Who can hopefully repay each way support, stepped up to 1m2f for his handicap debut.

Newmarket

1:50 – Phantom Flight – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John