Good morning all,

Football’s not come home after all. The two best sides in Euros reached the final and it was the best team in the tournament, Italy who took home the trophy to Rome. On the night England were just beaten by a better team although its always cruel to lose on penalties.

Well, “Super Saturday” is over for another year. It was wall to wall racing action on ITV on Saturday afternoon.  Yes, no time to give races like the John Smith's Cup the build-up the they deserve. However, it was fast, furious and thoroughly enjoyable.

Racing Mourns the Death of Galileo

Saturday’s July Cup didn’t get the headlines the race deserved. As events on the track were overshadowed by the announcement of the sad death of super stallion Galileo on Saturday afternoon.  I don’t have time today to pay a deserved tribute to this wonderful thoroughbred but here are a few words.

Galileo has dominated the stallion ranks for the past two decades. Producing some fantastic race horses, including Frankel. A son of great race horse and stallion Sadler’s Wells himself a son of arguably the best stallion of the last 100-years Northern Dancer. Just like Northern Dancer, who was the world's best sire in the 70s & 80s, his loss will be felt throughout the horse racing community.

The death of Galileo leaves big shoes to fill at Coolmore, given he’s single handily provided Ballydoyle/Coolmore with their era of dominance of flat racing. Is this an end of an era for Coolmore? Its too early to say.  Don’t forget the same thing was said after Sadler’s Wells and then Galileo came along. One thing is for certain, it’s another son of Galileo, in Frankel, who is in pole position to become top sire.  

On the day of his death it was poignant that another of his son’s Bolshoi Ballet should win the Grade 1 Belmont Derby.

He’s gone but Galileo's legacy will live on!

July Festival Thoughts – Part 1

I’m not sure about you but I think this year’s July Meeting was one of the best of recent years. Not just in terms of quality, both Group 1 races produced great races, but it was also good to see the field sizes hold up so well. Which hasn’t always been the case at this summer festival.

Over the next two days I will be looking back at the meeting. Tomorrow, I will give you a handful eyecatchers. Plus, I will look back at an absorbing Falmouth Stakes. However, today it’s the July Cup that comes under the microscope.

Star Sprinter

Its not often you get you get 19 runners in a Group 1. We did on Saturday in the July Cup. Apart from Diamond Jubilee winner Dream Of Dreams all the best sprinters lined up for this years race. It looked a good renewal beforehand and so it turned out to be. It was a proper race with a big field of sprinters hurtling down the July Course.

Before the start it looked like Starman would boil over and not be able to give his running. It wasn’t to be the case.

The field split into three groups with Art Power leading on the far side. Glen Shiel leading the group down the middle and Good Effort taking the group along on the near side.

Starman looked to be in a bit of trouble two out. However, he produced a great turn of foot when meeting the rising ground to win in good style.  He got his favoured quick ground on Saturday which he may not get again this season. So, a lot depends on underfoot conditions as to where we see the 4-year-old again. On fast ground I don’t think anyone will beat him this year.

The right horses finished behind Starman so the form is solid.

Dragon Symbol who lost the Commonwealth Cup in the Stewards room finished runner-up but he was no match for the winner.

Last year’s winner and this seasons King Stand winner Oxted was just edged out of second. He hung right in the closing stages which didn’t help his finishing effort but he probably wouldn't have won anyway.

Art Power ran a cracker in 4^th given he raced for most of the way with just one other runner. This was a likely a career best effort from the 4-year-old.

Creative Force, the Jersey Stakes winner at Royal Ascot, found things happening a bit too quick back over 6f. Still it was a good effort to finish 5^th, however he needs 7f to win at Group 1 level or softer ground.

Glen Shiel was only beaten 2 ¼ length back in 6^th.  This was a cracking effort by the 7-year-old who is arguably an even better horse on softer ground.

The pace of the race held up which didn’t suit a closer like Rohaan who finished 10th. The Wokingham winner would also have preferred an easier surface at this level.

More on the July Festival in Tuesday’s column.

Monday Selection:

Its back down to earth on the quality front on today.

Lingfield

7:05 – Treacherous, a useful handicapper at his best, bounced back to form when 2^nd of 10 to an inform winner at Doncaster 16-days ago.  A seven-time winner on the polytrack at Kempton. He’s having his first run at Lingfield, which may not suit his style of running but provided they go a strong pace, I can see him going close off a competitive mark.

Treacherous – 11/2 or better.

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Good luck with your Monday bets.

John

John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk