Good morning all,
When my interest in horse racing began, Newmarket’s July Meeting still used to be run from Tuesday to Thursday. As ever things change and commercial demand meant it run from Thursday to Saturday.
The big difference between the July Course and the Rowley Course is that track isn’t as stiff at the finish. Depending on the going and the position, there can be a faster strip on the far side.
ITV are covering four races from Newmarket and one from Carlisle as part of a five-race programme. In this preview I have had a look at four of the big races.
Newmarket July Festival
1:50 – Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 5f
Gear Up was the best of these as a juvenile but has yet to produce that form as a 3-year-old. Needs the step up to 1m 5f to have the desired effect. Ryan Moore booked and yard saddled the winner in 2014.
Yibir looked set for a good season when finishing ¾ length 3rd of 10 to Alenquer with stablemate Adayar in second. Hasn’t built on that performance but a return to a sounder surface could suit. Has been gelded since his last run.
Stowell a winner at Ascot on his second career start. Improved on that effort when coming from off a slow pace to finish 3rd of 13 in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last time. Looks sure to win more races but the forecast slow pace may not suit.
Mandoob looked a useful middle-distance prospect when winning a Haydock novice (good to firm) last month. The gelding is 2-2 and should be open to more improvement.
2:25 – Tattersalls July Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) – 6f
Eldrickjones built on the promise of his Thirsk debut when a much improved, running on 2nd of 17 in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Project Dante a winner at York on his racecourse debut. Improved again when a ¼ length 3rd of 15 in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal meeting. He would have gone for close to winning but had to wait for a gap between the final two furlongs. Should improve again and should stay today’s extra furlong. Runner-up Go Bears Go has since boosted the Norfolk form when winning a Group 2 in Ireland.
Ryan Moore has been boked for the Kevin Ryan trained Aleezdancer. A winner of his last two starts at Beverley and Carlisle. Both those two wins came on good to soft ground so needs to prove he’s as effective on quicker ground.
On a quick going Dig Two could be the pick of the Hugo Palmer pair. Runner-up in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. He will be suited by the return to 6f and should go well again.
3:00 – Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 6f
The first chance to see if there is any track bias.
Boomshalaa is in stall 7. The Roger Varian trained colt won his first two this year at Kempton & Windsor and improved again to finish a head 2nd of 19 in the 5f Handicap at Royal Ascot. Up 3lb but lightly raced and could yet be Group colt. A return to better ground shouldn’t inconvenience and the step back up to 6f looks a positive.
Popmaster was three lengths behind Boomshalaa at Royal Ascot. You can draw a line through that run as the he didn’t enjoy the soft ground. Today’s quicker ground, a big field and a strong pace are all positives and he’s on a competitive mark.
Blackrod and Jadwal where 2nd & 4th respectively in a big 6f handicap at York last time. Blackrod has arguably the more scope for improvement of the pair and will race although he has to give Jadwal 4lb here.
Recent C&D winner Akkeringa bids for the hat trick. He’s up 7lb for his last success but is going the right way, goes well on quick ground and Franny Norton off 8-0 is an eyecatching jockey booking.
Just Frank returned to form when 2nd of 9 at Chester 12-days ago. Best form has come on soft ground though. Not handicapped of it if he’s as good on good to firm.
No ground concerns for Abduction who looks to have improved for an off-season gelding operation. Took on the older sprinters when coming from off the pace to finish runner-up at Pontefract on his seasonal return 18-days ago. Up 2lb but remains on a winnable mark and yard won this in 2013.
3:35 – Princess Of Wales's Tattersalls Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 4f
Hard to look beyond recent Coronation Cup runner-up Al Aasy here. A slight concern about really quick ground for the 4-year-old but is the one to beat. The front running Sir Ron Priestley seems likely to get his own way out in front and a return to a sound surface suits the 5-year-old. He could be the one to take advantage if the favourite underperforms.
Thursday Selections
Newmarket
3:00 – Abduction – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk