Hi all,
It’s ‘Super Saturday’, and the high-quality action comes thick and fast with ITV showing 12 races from Newmarket, York, and Ascot.
Six of those races come from Newmarket, including the Group 1 Al Basti July Cup Stakes (4:35) – the headline race of the July Festival. The bet365 Bunbury Cup Handicap (2:50) and Group 2 bet365 Superlative Stakes (4:00) add solid support to the undercard.
ITV Racing are covering four races from John Smith’s Cup Day at York, with 18 declared for the John Smith’s Cup Handicap (3:10) which has £200,000 on offer in guaranteed prize money. The card also features the Group 3 John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (3:45) and the Listed John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (2:35).
Meanwhile, Ascot hosts the Group 2 Summer Mile (2:22), with £140,000 in guaranteed prize money up for grabs which is one of two races from Ascot on ITV.
There’s too much top-level racing to cover everything in detail — so in today’s main piece I am focusing on the four ITV races on John Smith’s Day at York.
Those readers who joined my Victor Value service yesterday for my ‘Super Saturday’ selections were rewarded with a 12/1 winner courtesy of Oneforthegutter at Newmarket.
York
2:00 – John Smith’s Racing Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Remmooz looked a colt going places after winning his first two starts and wasn't disgraced when fourth in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Drops into handicap company for the first time off what looks a workable mark and remains open to improvement.
Sisyphean and La Trinidad were second and third to Old Cock over C&D in May. Neither were seen to best effect in the Royal Hunt Cup last time. A return to this track suits, and they look set to bounce back. Sisyphean may have a bigger perfromance in him.
Three-time C&D winner Blue For You bids for a third consecutive win in this race. He returned to form over 7f here last time and should do even better back returned to a mile. A big player if he gets the forecast strong pace and ground doesn’t come up too quick (0-12, 2 places on good to firm).
2:35 – John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed) – 5f
Apollo One may prefer 6f ideally but has the speed for 5f and handles this track well. Joint top-rated alongside Washington Heights, he hasn’t shown his best in two runs this term but is a Group 3 winner and can’t be dismissed.
Washington Heights ran to form when seventh in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. Takes a class drop here, is drawn to attack, and the sharp 5f suits perfectly. Everything looks in place for a big run.
3:10 – John Smith’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) – 1m 2½f
Archivist looks a typical William Haggas improver. He made a mockery of his mark when winning here over a mile last month and is 2lb well in under a 5lb penalty. Nicely drawn in stall 6, and the way he finished last time suggests the longer trip is within range.
See That Storm. improved for the switch to Ed Bethell last year winning all three starts and has continued to progress this year, just touched off by a smart rival over C&D last time. Firmly in the mix.
Thunder Run scored over C&D last time and remains unexposed at the trip. A 4lb rise seems fair and a freshened-up by a short break could see another big effort. Stall 17 isn’t ideal.
Hand Of God didn’t stay the 1m 4f at Royal Ascot last time. Drops back in trip and a strongly run contest will suit. Remains capable of a bigger performance.
Brioni bounced back in the first time cheekpieces at Sandown last time and has each-way claims under a 5lb penalty. The draw in stall 18 is a concern though. Horses drawn higher than 11 have produced just 1 winner from 99 runners in the past 10 years.
3:45 – John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 6f
Al Qareem controlled things from the front when winning a Listed race over C&D last time. He’s likely to get an easy lead again and if his jockey gets the fractions right, he’ll be hard to peg back.
Tabletalk won the Melrose Handicap over C&D last year and has shaped well over 1m 4f this season. The return to 1m 6f is a plus. He’s a strong stayer and the key will be keeping him close enough in what may be a tactical race.
In Monday’s column I’ll be looking back at the best of the action from ‘Super Saturday’.
Good luck with your ‘Super Saturday’ bets.
John