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“Super” Saturday Preview

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on yesterday’s star performance on Day 2 of the July Festival. Plus, there’s a brief look at Saturday’s feature race the Group 1 July Cup.

It’s ‘Mad Saturday’ or Super Saturday. The afternoon in the flat racing calendar when it’s a case wall to wall racing. The action is relentless making it difficult to keep a handle on what’s happening.

Punters either love it or hate it. For what’s it worth I have come around to embrace the day rather than knock it. Mind you it doesn’t make writing Saturday’s column easy. What do you put in and what do you leave out. Especially as I am doing a full Saturday preview exclusively for Victor Value subscribers.

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You can enjoy a bumper ten race programme of racing on ITV this afternoon with the broadcaster covering racing from three courses: Newmarket, Ascot, and York.

The Newmarket feature race and the race of the day is the Group 1 July Cup (4:35). The undercard is decent and includes the Group 2 Superlative Stakes (3.25) and Bunbury Cup (4.00).

At Ascot the feature race is the Group 2 Summer Mile (2.20).

The highlights of a seven race card at York are the Group 3 John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes (3.45) and one of my favourite races of the season the John Smith's Cup (3:10).

On Course Profits free Horse Racing magazine
Nashwa is back

Nashwa ran out a five length winner of the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes. I had doubted her after a couple of disappointing efforts this season, but this was the filly back to her very best. The drop back to a mile wasn’t a problem for her. She got plenty of cover and was traveling sweetly when taking it up 1f out and powering clear of her rivals.

It was a career best from Nashwa and possibly the mile performance of the season so far. There was daylight between her and runner-up Remarquee at the finish. It was another good run by the second who would have been a good winner herself if Nashwa hadn’t been in the field.

Nashwa won’t be going to Goodwood for the Sussex Stakes to take on Paddington though. Instead, she’ll head for the Nassau Stakes, a race she won last year.

It was a career best from Nashwa and possibly the mile performance of the season so far. There was daylight between her and runner-up Remarquee at the finish. It was another good run by the second who would have been a good winner herself if Nashwa hadn’t been in the field.

Nashwa won’t be going to Goodwood for the Sussex Stakes to take on Paddington though. Instead, she’ll head there to defend her Nassau Stakes crown.

Newmarket July Festival – Day 3

The rain arrived at Newmarket on Friday. It rained for most of the afternoon and easing the ground in the process. It should be drier on Saturday but there could be some heavy showers. Although there’s no certainty the showers will hit the track. There is one certainty, it's going to very windy.

4:35 – Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes (Group 1) – 6f

Shaquille is a short-priced favourite to follow up his Commonwealth Cup success. It was quick ground at Royal Ascot, but the 3-year-old did win on soft on the Rowley Course in May so underfoot conditions shouldn’t phase him. He has solid claims of another Group 1 success but is plenty short enough given he can play up at the start.

Little Big Bear was a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 13 to Shaquille in the Commonwealth Cup. He was beaten fair and square at Royal Ascot and has had an interrupted preparation for this. Slightly slower ground could suit him better than the quick ground at Ascot.

Azure Blue has looked a much improved sprinter this season winning a Listed race at Newmarket in May and following up in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes at York last time. Missed Royal Ascot and good or an easy surface suit’s the 4-year-old well.  I think she’s a Group 1 sprinter and with some juice in the ground can show she is.  

Kinross will be suited by any rain that falls. He shaped like the run was needed when a 5 length 7th of 16 to Khaadem in Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on his seasonal return. A big run looks likely, but he does likely need easy ground to win.

I think the winner will come from above four horses. I’m loath to desert Shaquille but the change in the going means I’m favouring Azure Blue and Kinross. It’s the former who gets the vote. I think she’s a Group 1 sprinter and hopefully she’ll prove it this afternoon.

Saturday Selection:

Newmarket

4:35 – Azure Blue.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John

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