11 minutes Check out my tips for the final day of Newmarket's July Festival.
1:40 Newmarket (July)
Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (GBB Race) (IRE Incentive Race)
SNOW LIGHT - 2/1
The opening contest on Day Three of the July Festival is a traditionally informative juvenile fillies’ maiden over seven furlongs, often featuring future stars. Several well-bred newcomers line up in this year’s renewal, but the market is headed by the Godolphin filly Snow Light, who looks poised to make a winning debut for a yard that has dominated this race in recent years.
Charlie Appleby has won this maiden five times in the last eight years, including with the dam of Snow Light back in 2019 and more recently, with subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner Desert Flower. Snow Light, by Dark Angel out of a Listed-placed 7f winner, has the right credentials and looks primed to go close with William Buick booked.
Stablemate Dancing Flower is another with appeal on pedigree and connections but may play second fiddle given the jockey arrangements. Darkwing, the first foal of Royal Ascot winner Indie Angel, is bred to be classy and is likely to know her job on debut for John and Thady Gosden. Orion’s Belt was strongly supported at Salisbury but could only finish fourth against the colts. Still, that was a promising start and she’s expected to improve for the extra furlong under Ryan Moore. Meanwhile, New Vega, a €450,000 breeze-up buy, represents interesting debutant potential for Simon and Ed Crisford.
Verdict: This has the feel of a race where the market is likely to get it right. SNOW LIGHT stands out on pedigree, connections and the stable’s outstanding record in this contest. Orion’s Belt should improve from her debut and appeals most of the once-raced brigade, while Darkwing and New Vega are lively debutants with the potential to shake up the places.
2:12 Newmarket (July)
Trustatrader 20th Anniversary Fillies' Handicap
HAVANA PUSEY - 12/1
The first handicap on the Saturday card looks a competitive renewal, but recent Group 3 performer Havana Pusey may represent the best value returning to handicap company. The five-year-old has already enjoyed a productive season, scoring twice in May before bouncing back to form with a solid fourth in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle, where she shaped with promise against some useful sprinters. Stepping back up to 7f now looks ideal and she can take advantage of her mark.
Royal Ascot form is a recurring theme here. Miss Nightfall ran a huge race in the Sandringham when sixth of 25 and remains unexposed. She should be thereabouts again despite the slight drop in trip not looking ideal. Meanwhile, Miss Information, who landed the Kensington Palace at the same meeting, commands respect despite a 6lbs rise. Oisin Murphy keeps the ride. Royal Velvet showed her best form yet when a close third over course and distance against the boys last time and shouldn’t be dismissed. Lightly raced three-year-old Raneenn failed to fire at York but is in expert hands and has scope for further progress.
Verdict: A fiercely competitive fillies’ handicap where HAVANA PUSEY could take advantage of calmer waters after a bold showing in Group company. Miss Nightfall continues to run well in top races and holds strong claims, while Miss Information is clearly thriving and rates another major player.
2:50 Newmarket (July)
bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)
AKKADIAN THUNDER - 6/1
A fiercely competitive renewal of the Bunbury Cup headlines the Saturday card, with several familiar names returning from bold efforts at Royal Ascot. In a race often decided by fine margins, Akkadian Thunder may hold the edge after an excellent second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, form that has already received multiple boosts. David O’Meara’s charge had previously impressed when scoring stylishly at Doncaster and now looks to have a big prize in him, especially as he races here from a mark 4lbs lower than his future rating. With William Buick booked, confidence behind him is understandable.
More Thunder and Ten Pounds also emerge from Royal Ascot with strong credentials. The former finished a storming runner-up in the Wokingham and steps up to 7f here off just a 3lbs future rise, while Ten Pounds produced a fine third in the same race and has an excellent 7f record to call upon. Course form is another angle to consider. Run Boy Run boasts a superb record over this C&D (2211) and remains competitively weighted despite a wide draw. Meanwhile, Aalto, last year’s winner, will need to bounce back from a lacklustre reappearance but can’t be entirely dismissed.
Verdict: A cracking renewal with several coming in on the back of notable efforts. AKKADIAN THUNDER is the one with the most obvious upside based on his Ascot performance and handicapping edge. More Thunder and Ten Pounds look serious dangers, while Run Boy Run makes plenty of appeal back at his favourite track and trip.
3:25 Newmarket (July)
RAAFEDD - 4/1
A competitive mile handicap for three-year-olds, where several smart improvers look to bounce back from tough assignments at Royal Ascot. Among them, Raafedd appeals as a colt with unfinished business. The son of Teofilo bolted up in a novice at Newbury in May and was sent off favourite for the Britannia, only to endure a nightmare trip. He remains lightly raced and has been Group-entered, suggesting connections hold him in high regard.
Charlie Appleby runs two and while Secret Theory retains potential, all eyes will be on Bedouin Prince, who was a stylish all-the-way winner on the Rowley Mile on just his third career start. A mark of 100 is lofty, but the form of that race has been franked and the yard has landed this prize four times since 2018.
Fifth Column, representing the Gosden team, also emerged from the Britannia with credit. He won the Esher Cup earlier in the spring and finished first in his group at Ascot. The retention of cheekpieces could help unlock a bit more. Progressive maiden winner Mister Winston should continue on the upgrade for a yard in top form, while Thunder Wonder and Sex On Fire need to prove they can cut it at this level.
Verdict: A race loaded with progressive types, but RAAFEDD is worth forgiving his Britannia run, where he had no luck and still shaped like a horse with more to offer. Bedouin Prince is a major threat if coping with his opening mark, while Fifth Column also commands respect off a good run at Ascot.
4:00 Newmarket (July)
bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2)
ITALY - 8/13
The day’s Group 2 highlight brings together some of the most promising juveniles seen out so far this summer. As ever, it looks a key early test for future Group performers and Italy, trained by Aidan O’Brien, stands out as the potential star in the making. He created a strong impression on debut at Leopardstown, overcoming signs of inexperience to edge out the subsequent Chesham runner-up in good style. With the Ballydoyle team targeting this contest intentionally, and Ryan Moore retaining the ride, this son of No Nay Never commands serious respect.
Charlie Appleby looks to have a strong hand once again. Saba Desert made a taking debut at Sandown and is bred for the top table being by Dubawi. That maiden has been a launchpad for stars in the past, including Native Trail, who won this race for the stable in 2021. Stablemate Wild Desert also brings strong form after just failing to follow up under a penalty over this C&D.
Venetian Lace, a filly taking on the colts, ran well in the Chesham and adds depth to the formbook, though she may find a few too strong at this level. Moonfall looks to be progressing steadily and should appreciate the step up, while Raakeb and Bourbon Blues have more on their plate after credible efforts in defeat at Royal Ascot.
Verdict: ITALY looked a class act on debut and sets a high standard with natural improvement expected. Saba Desert is a major danger given Appleby’s record in this and the strength of his debut win, while Wild Desert and Venetian Lace have each-way potential in a warm renewal.
4:35 Newmarket (July)
Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes (Group 1)
FLORA OF BERMUDA - 5/1
The July Cup, the showpiece of Newmarket’s summer festival and one of the most prestigious sprint races in Europe, brings together a deep and talented field. Several of the three-year-olds clash again following the Commonwealth Cup, but it’s the filly Flora Of Bermuda who may finally be ready to land a deserved Group 1. Consistently campaigned at the top level, she’s been knocking on the door for some time, including a strong-finishing third at Royal Ascot and a troubled second behind Inisherin in the Duke of York Stakes. Conditions look ideal and she can make full use of the weight allowance and her strong late burst to finally get her head in front.
The lightly-raced Notable Speech, a Classic-winning miler, adds significant intrigue. Supplemented at a cost of £36,000, he drops back to 6f for the first time, a move that could unlock something special given his sharp turn of foot. Stablemate Symbol Of Honour is arguably even better suited to this trip and brings a sparkling 6f record, including a win in the Sandy Lane.
From Ballydoyle, Whistlejacket brings solid juvenile Group 1 form and wasn’t disgraced in the Commonwealth Cup, while Believing, now in foal to Frankel, looks to bounce back after a below-par run from a poor draw at Ascot. Spy Chief, supplemented like Notable Speech, is an unexposed wildcard who shaped well at Royal Ascot and could be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.
Verdict: A fascinating July Cup where the consistent FLORA OF BERMUDA gets the nod to finally break through at the top level. Symbol Of Honour looks a major threat on current form, while Notable Speech is a compelling danger if the return to sprinting brings out a new dimension.
5:10 Newmarket (July)
Trustatrader Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
WHATHAPPENSINVEGAS - 7/2
The curtain comes down on the July Festival with a tricky 1m4f handicap, where a few seasoned handicappers clash with some improving three-year-olds. The vote goes to Whathappensinvegas, who looks well treated now back on his last winning mark and gets a notable jockey booking in William Buick. Ian Williams’ gelding has been largely consistent this season, placing in three of his last five starts and can be forgiven a lesser effort at York last time out. This track should suit and with Buick on board for the first time, he may finally take advantage of his falling mark.
Recent course-and-distance winner Atlantic Sunset is an obvious danger. The three-year-old took well to the visor last time and with that confidence boost under her belt, she should continue to progress. She’s respected as the likely favourite.
Claymore is the class angle. His Royal Ascot win in 2022 still lingers in the memory and while he hasn’t hit those heights since, his recent effort over 1m4f here was a step in the right direction. He’s dangerous if things fall right. Asgard’s Captain drops back to a suitable trip and grade, having won convincingly over this distance at Epsom in a similar contest. Meanwhile, Charming Whisper is unexposed over this trip and could sneak into the frame based on pedigree.
Verdict: A competitive finale where WHATHAPPENSINVEGAS can take full advantage of the conditions and Buick’s assistance. Atlantic Sunset brings the strongest recent form, while Claymore and Asgard’s Captain offer solid each-way appeal in a deep closer.
