Hi all,
The Group 1 July Cup headlined an action-packed ‘Super Saturday,' promising an exciting day of racing. Inside today’s main piece, you can read my thoughts on Saturday’s big race action.
I’ve just returned from a delightful trip to Champagne Country, blessed with some wonderful summer weather. While my travel companions enjoyed the ship's hospitality on the ferry back to the UK, I spent a few hours delving into Saturday’s races. After that form study, I wondered why I had bothered. The racing action looked like an absolute minefield, and I found it hard to get excited about this year’s renewals of the July Cup, John Smith’s Cup, and Bunbury Cup—races I usually enjoy. However, I put up two horses for Victor Value subscribers, Enfjaar and Botanical, and they finished first and second in the John Smith’s Cup. So not too shabby in one of the most competitive handicaps of the flat season, followed up less than an hour later with the winner of the Bunbury Cup in Aalto. All in all, a good Saturday on the betting front.
Newmarket: July Cup
Inisherin looked an ideal horse for Saturday's July Cup—a horse who gets out and gets rolling. However, things didn’t go to plan for the well-backed favourite, who wasn’t in the same form as when winning the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and could only finish fifth. Maybe Inisherin found the race coming too soon, or maybe he’s not as good as was thought. There’s also the possibility that he was racing on the worst part of the track.
Mill Stream was suited by the rain that fell earlier in the week, running on well to collar Swingalong inside the final half furlong. Swingalong travelled well, up with the pace, and only gave best close to home. A consistent sprinter, she should continue to give a good account of herself in Group 1 sprints and would be winning one out of turn.
Top juvenile sprinter Vandeek was back to form after an underwhelming seasonal return in third. It’s still uncertain if he can recapture his 2-year-old best, but quicker ground would suit him. Art Power produced a seasonal best in fourth but would have preferred even softer ground.
Inisherin ran like he needed further than 6f, and you would be disappointed if he couldn’t bounce back from this. Jasour, third in the Commonwealth Cup, was once again far too keen in the early stages and may be worth dropping back to 5f.
July Cup Verdict
The 3-year-olds Inisherin and Vandeek dominated the betting but were ultimately eclipsed by the older sprinters, led by winner Mill Stream. The result sums up the sprinting division—they can all beat each other on different days. There’s clearly no outstanding sprinter.
As I mentioned last week that I’m not a fan of the Newmarket’s July Course. Despite finding the winner of the Bunbury Cup my opinion hasn’t changed. For me it’s too much of a draw/track position track especially after rain which produced loose ground on Saturday.
Godolphin Juveniles Shine
The highlights for me at Newmarket were the performances of a pair of Charlie Appleby-trained juveniles.
Ancient Truth only had to be pushed out to make it 3 from 3, winning the Group 2 Superlative Stakes. It was a nice performance in a slowly run race from the 4/6 favourite. A fifth success in the race since 2016 for Charlie Appleby. The Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh is next up for the winner—a race that both Quorto and Native Trail won for Appleby after winning the Superlative Stakes. Ancient Truth wasn’t as visually impressive as City Of Troy 12 months ago. However, he’s a colt with plenty of quality, and he’ll go well in the National Stakes and is a 2,000 Guineas contender.
Desert Flower overcame greenness to make an impressive winning racecourse debut in the 7f fillies maiden that opened Saturday’s card. A daughter of Night Of Thunder, Desert Flower was strong at the finish and should improve for the step up to a mile. She’s a smart juvenile prospect and should prove to be up to pattern company later this season.
In tomorrow's column I’ll have some future winners for you from last week’s racing.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John
Where are the classic 2 year olds?
Whilst I do not rate either of the Appleby weekend winners, I can’t help noticing the ‘Night of Thunder’ influence in so many winners this season..it’s almost non stop.
The French filly at Chantilly yesterday would leave both Charlie’s filly and colt, for dead though imo.
The colts in particular have been very sub standard so far and whilst Aiden has produced the 2 best 2yr old fillies so far, he also has many unraced fillies that are bred to be champions. On the colts side, I have backed one of his for the 2025 Derby ‘Maestro Bernstein’ just on breeding alone, which on other 2yr old evidence to date, could easily be worth the risk at 40/1. He has an entry in the National Stakes at The Curragh in Sept.
Hi Rick,
Good luck with your Derby ante post selection. It’s a good way of playing the Aidan O’Brien classic hopeful game.
As for the classic 2-year-old’s i suspect we haven’t seen them yet.
John