Hi all,
When my interest in horse racing began, Newmarket’s July Meeting still used to be run from Tuesday to Thursday. As ever things change and commercial demand mean it run from Thursday to Saturday.
The big difference between the July Course and the Rowley Course is that track isn’t as stiff at the finish. Depending on the going and the position of there can be faster strip on the far side.
ITV are covering four races from Newmarket and one from Carlisle as part of a five-race programme. I have had a look at the four ITV races plus the mile handicap that concludes the card.
Newmarket July Festival – Day 1
1:50 – Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 5f
Gear Up was the best of these as a juvenile but has yet to produce that form as 3-year-old. Needs the step up 1m 5f to have the desired effect. Ryan Moore booked and yard saddled the winner in 2014.
Yibir looked set for a good season when finishing ¾ length 3rd of 10 to Alenquer with stablemate Adayar in second. Hasn’t built on that performance but a returned to a sounder surface could suit. Has been gelded since his last run.
Stowell a winner at Ascot on his second career start. Improved on that effort when coming from off a slow pace to finish 3rd of 13 in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last time. Looks sure to win more races but the forecast slow pace may not suit.
Mandoob looked a useful middle-distance prospect when winning a Haydock novice (good to firm) last month. The gelding is 2-2 and should be open to more improvement.
2:25 – Tattersalls July Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) – 6f
Eldrickjones built on the promise of his Thirsk debut when a much improved, running on 2nd of 17 in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Project Dante a winner at York on his racecourse debut. Improved again when a ¼ length 3rd of 15 in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal meeting. He would have gone for close to winning but had to wait for a gap between the final two furlongs. Should improve again and should stay today’s extra furlong. Runner-up Go Bears Go has since boosted the Norfolk form when winning a Group 2 in Ireland.
Ryan Moore has been booked for the Kevin Ryan trained Aleezdancer. A winner of his last two starts at Beverley and Carlisle. Both those two wins came on good to soft ground so needs to prove he’s as a effective on quicker ground.
On a quick going Dig Two could be the pick of the Hugo Palmer pair. Runner-up in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. He will be suited by the return to 6f and should go well again.
3:00 – Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 6f
The first of the big field handicaps and its first chance to see if there in any draw bias.
Boomshalaa is in stall 7. The Roger Varian trained colt won his first two this year at Kempton & Windsor and improved again to finish a head 2nd of 19 in the 5f Handicap at Royal Ascot. Up 3lb but lightly raced and could yet be Group colt. A return to better ground shouldn’t inconvenience and the step back up to 6f looks a positive.
Popmaster was three lengths behind Boomshalaa at Royal Ascot. You can draw a line through that run as the he didn’t enjoy the soft ground. Today’s quicker ground, a big field and a strong pace are all positives and he’s on a competitive mark.
Blackrod and Jadwal where 2nd & 4th respectively in a big 6f handicap at York last time. Blackrod has arguably the more scope for improvement of the pair and will races although he has to give Jadwal 4lb here.
Recent C&D winner Akkeringa bids for the hat trick. He’s up 7lb for his last success but is going the right way, goes well on quick ground and Franny Norton off 8-0 is an eyecatching jockey booking.
Just Frank returned to form when 2nd of 9 at Chester 12-days ago. Best form has come on soft ground though. Not handicapped of it if he’s as good on good to firm.
No ground concerns for Abduction who looks to have improved for an off-season gelding operation. Took on the older sprinters when coming from off the pace to finish runner-up at Pontefract on his seasonal return 18-days ago. Up 2lb but remains on a winnable mark and yard won this in 2013.
Verdict: Plenty in with a chance in this competitive sprint handicap. Boomshalaa looks a worthy favourite after his Royal Ascot second. However, on quicker ground Popmaster can get closer this time. Blackrod will win races and the progressive Akkeringa is at the right end of the handicap. There was plenty to like about Abduction’s recent reappearance and he’s got each way claims.
1pt win – Popmaster – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt each way – Abduction – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:35 – Princess Of Wales’s Tattersalls Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 4f
Hard to look beyond recent Coronation Cup runner-up Al Aasy here. A slight concern about really quick ground for the 4-year-old but is the one to beat. The front running Sir Ron Priestley seems likely to get his own way out in front and a return to a sound surface suits the 5-year-old. He could be the one to take advantage if the favourite under-performs.
4:45 – John Deere Handicap (Class 3) – 6f
Legendary Day has improved from two to three, winning his last two starts at Nottingham & Leicester. Overcame a modest pace to win last time and although he’s 6lb higher now he’s and improving 3-year-old.
Migration returned from a mammoth 641-day absence when a 1 ½ length 4th of 12 at Salisbury 15-days ago. Unlucky not to land a gamble as he was hampered a furlong out and finished his race strongly in a slowly run race. On a good mark if backing up his last time effort.
Global Spirit is a useful handicapper on his day as he showed when a neck 2nd of 15 in the Carlisle Bell 15-days ago. Nudged up 2lb but has each way claims.
Epic Endeavour improved to win three of his last four starts last season. The 4-year-old put in a career best effort on RPR’s when 2nd of 9 at Windsor last month and has claims.
Power Of Darkness has to be considered nicely handicapped on his winning form in 2019. The 6-year-old wasn’t the best away when a ¾ length 3rd of 7 at Bath 8-days ago. Needs quick ground and a strongly run mile suits.
Verdict: Migration and Legendary Day deserve their places at the front of the market. Plenty have each way claims no more so than the well handicapped Power Of Darkness.
1pt win – Power Of Darkness – 10/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Migration – 4/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportbook
Cheers
John