Newmarket July Festival – Day 1

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the first day of action at Newmarket’s July Festival.

It’s day one of the July Festival at Newmarket.  Let’s be clear this isn’t Royal Ascot and it’s not York’s Ebor Festival. However, it’s a good three days of racing which culminates on Saturday with the Group 1 July Cup which is arguably Europe’s premier 6f sprint.

You can watch four races live on ITV on each of the three days.  On Friday ITV are also covering two races live from York. On Saturday things get a little manic as it’s ‘Mad Saturday’ and ITV will be covering 10 races on a bumper afternoon of racing on the main channel.

Newmarket July Festival – Day 1

It’s a seven race card for day one and I’m assuming that the ground is on the quick side of good in today’s preview. Despite the uncertain weather forecast, which has changed again with less rain being forecast for Friday than earlier in the week. The track looks to have commenced watering with 10 to 12mm being applied that's if you believe social media.

To be fair the field sizes for the first day of the meeting aren’t great. However, most of the main contenders have been declared for their respective races so the quality remains.

Malc is fit and fancied

There’s £125,000 in guaranteed prize money on offer in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes (3.35). William Buick and Charlie Appleby combined to win last year’s race and have the hot favourite in Adayar. He was third in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and the 5-year-old will appreciate the return to 1m 4f.

In the Group 2 July Stakes Norfolk Stakes runner-up Malc will be fancied to go one place better here. He was suited to the stiff 5f at Ascot last time and should be fine over this 6f.  He does face several unbeaten colts in the shape of Purosangue, Chief Mankato and Lake Forest.

Saint George runner-up to Gregory in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, heads the betting for the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes (1.50). However, he does face serious rivals in the Charlie Appleby trained Castle Way and the Aidan O’Brien trained Tower Of London.  The latter has won his last two starts and is quietly fancied for the St Leger.  He seems to have improved for racing on a sound surface and the further he goes the better he looks.

Nostrum third in last year’s Dewhurst Stakes makes a belated seasonal reappearance in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (4:45). The colt faces five rivals, including couple of unbeaten colts Embesto and Imperial Emperor, but will be tough to beat if ready to roll after his injury.

Recent York first and second Quinault and Washington Heights are vying for favouritism in the bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (3:05). Ryan Moore has been booked for Washington Heights and he could go off favourite for this valuable 6f handicap.

4:10 – British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes – 6f

It’s not often I put up a fillies juvenile race under the microscope but there are a several interesting newcomers amongst the ten runners.

Andrew Balding won this corresponding race with Frankella in 2021 and saddles racecourse debutant Miss Information.  The daughter of Blue Point was a 90,000gns purchase as a yearling and her dam won on juvenile debut.

Richard Hannon relies on racecourse debutant Bourgeoisie rather than the more experienced Gaiden. The daughter of Siyouni cost 150,000gns as a yearling and her dam won as 2-year-old. Trainer is 6-29 21% +13 with his juveniles at the meeting.

Dubai Treasure a daughter of Exceed And Excel makes her juvenile debut but trainer Saeed Bin Suroor won this corresponding race with a newcomer in 2016 and she did have an entry for York on Friday.

Godolphin qualifiers

1:50 – Castle Way

3:35 – Adayar

4:45 – Imperial Emperor

Thursday Selection:

It was nice to provide a winning selection yesterday to readers of the column on Wednesday.  I was tempted by the Saeed Bin Suroor newcomer but I've gone for a more solid pick.

Newmarket

2:25 – Malc – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John