6 minutes The three-day July Festival at Newmarket takes place this week and below are my leading fancies for the main race on each day.
The three-day July Festival at Newmarket takes place this week and below are my leading fancies for the main race on each day.
Thursday: 3:35 Newmarket (July)
Princess Of Wales's Stakes (Sponsored By The Kingdom Of Bahrain) (Group 2)
WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE - 4/1
Despite there only being five runners the market with this one suggests it will be a close run affair with Ghostwriter (2/1) the current favourite. The Clive Cox colt has put up a string of consistent efforts in top races and stepped up to this trip last finishing third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot which looked a better race on paper than this. He's the highest rated here and worthy favourite although having not won since he was a two-year-old is slightly off putting. He may be vulnerable to an improver but which one of the four is the likeliest to cause an upset?
Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby are double-handed here although according to the market are the least fancied of the five runners. El Cordobes (7/1) is the mount of Will Buick and has CD form having won first time out this season in a Handicap. He was possibly a non-stayer over further last time and maybe able to get an easy lead here. He's not written off but needs to find more improvement from somewhere to land this.
Arabian Crown (15/2) is an interesting contender having not had much racing over the last couple of seasons. He's been gelded since a poor showing at Sandown but looked to have a lot of potential as a three-year-old. Is still unproven at the trip however.
Palladium (3/1) finished just behind Ghostwriter in the Hardwicke and there isn't any real reason for him to reverse this form. The only angle could be that this will be only his third start for the Gosdens having changed hands in June. Having been campaigned primarily over further you'd think he'd want them to go at a decent clip here which he may not get.
Wimbledon Hawkeye (4/1) completes the quintet and has shown great consistency all season with a fine fifth in the Guineas backed up with a third in the Dante. His run in the King Edward was his first try over the trip and the race didn't quite fall in his favour. The three-year-old may be the answer to this as he may have the tactical speed if this turns into a bit of a dash.
Selection
Wimbledon Hawkeye has had a busy campaign and can finally land a decent prize here with none of the others really standing out.
Friday: 15:35 Newmarket (July)
Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares)
CINDERELLA'S DREAM - 5/2
Friday's feature race is the Falmouth Stakes with the versatile Cinderella's Dream (5/2) at the head of the market against her conqueror last time Crimson Advocate (4/1). It was the latter last time that quickened best to win the Duke Of Cambridge at Ascot with Roaring Lion (10/1) held back in fourth after making the running that day. She looked so impressive having stepped up to the mile and used her Sprint speed to good effect that day. Cinderella's Dream would ideally like a stronger pace to aim at this time, though may not necessarily get it but will perhaps be ridden slightly closer this time and should at least get some cover early.
It should be a fascinating matchup with these two however I wouldn't write off the Aiden O'Brien trained, January (7/2). This one returned to form last time to be a good third in the Coronation Cup at Ascot but does need to back that up and more to land a blow on the two leading fancies. She hasn't won since a Listed race back in August last year.
Elmalka (12/1) has put a string of good efforts together in top races since causing an upset in the 1000 Guineas but has 4 ½ lengths to find on Cinderella's Dream based on their running in the Dahlia Stakes. Likely to run her race but place money will likely be the best outcome for her.
Selection
Cinderella's Dream is the narrow preference over Crimson Advocate. I suspect she didn't fully run her race last time and assuming she's back on song this ultra tough filly can surge past them all in the final furlong to claim another Group prize.
Saturday: 16:35 Newmarket (July)
Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes (Group 1)
INISHERIN - 7/1
The July Cup betting is headed by Godolphin runner, Notable Speech (3/1) who looks a real fly in the ointment here with the drop back to 6 furlongs being an interesting move. He's looked quite headstrong after winning the 2000 Guineas last year and this drop to the Sprint trip is well worth investing. His price is short enough, however, against some proven sprinters.
Inisherin (7/1) being one of those having been fancied for the Jubilee last time but not really having the race run to suit against all the way French winner, Lazzat with Flora Of Bermuda (5/1) running a blinder in third. He was also a disappointing favourite for this last season when only managing fifth but this Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner is still lightly raced and can be competitive here.
Symbol Of Honour (7/1) has been a slider in the market and scraped home last time in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes. He has a very impressive strike rate and has won four of his last five races although his form needs to be raised to another level if he is to land this.
Spy Chief (20/1) is the apparent third string for Godolphin but ran with credit in the 7f Jersey Stakes last time. He looks worth another crack at 6f as he only seems to have one way of racing and that is forward although lacks experience for a race of this nature.
Of the others Believing (8/1) put on an uncharacteristic display last time but the George Boughey team seem in good form right now. This one was placed in multiple top sprints across the Globe last season and is a Group 1 winner in Meydan. He could be a danger to all if back on song.
Selection
A tough one to call with some of the leading fancies not running up to their best last time. A chance is taken on Inisherin to put a poor run behind him last time. Notable Speech is the definite red herring in the field and will be fascinating to see how he goes over the sprint trip.
