Hi all,
The Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes is the feature race of day the Newmarket’s July Festival. There’s also a good supporting card of races. You can watch the best of the action from Newmarket and two races from York as part of six race programme.
I have got selections from Newmarket, York and Kilbeggan.
Newmarket July Festival – Day 2
1:50 – bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m 2f
Peter The Great is open to further improvement on his handicap debut and must be respected.
Dubai Honour caught the eye on his first start for 8 months when a 2 ½ length 4th of 29 in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. Stamina for 1m 2f not guaranteed but there is hope on the dam side of the pedigree that he will stay.
Mark Johnson has saddled the winner of this six times in the past ten years. He saddles King Frankel who finished a 3 ¼ length 4th of 14 behind one of today’s rivals Foxes Tales. The going is likely to be quicker today and he does get 9lb from the easy winner. That said Foxes Tales is likely open to more progress.
Lord Protector won his first two starts this season at Windsor and Salisbury. Before seemingly not staying 1m 4f back at Salisbury last time. Drop back to 1m 2f makes sense and if he handles today’s likely quicker going can go close.
King Of Clubs shaped like a nice handicapping prospect when winning a Nottingham maiden two starts back. Improved again on his handicap debut when a ¾ length 2nd of 9 at Sandown (1m 1f) 27-days ago. Same mark here and capable of bit more improvement for a step up to 1m 2f.
1pt win – Dubai Honour – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Coral
1pt win – King Of Clubs – 6/1 @ Bet365
3:00 – bet365 Trophy (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m 6f
Prince Alex was placed last season winning five times. Has run well on both starts without winning but was beaten a head into second at Goodwood last time. The winner has gone in again since Up 3lb for that effort but there must be doubt about whether he will be as effective on quick ground as he is on softer ground.
The lightly raced Live Your Dream has won two of his three starts in 2012. He’s improved with each start and last time ran out a comfortable winner at Wolverhampton over an extended two-mile last month. The drop back to 1m 6f shouldn’t be a problem. Up 10lb for his last win but he’s open to more progression and looks set for a good run.
1pt win – Live Your Dream – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
3:35 – Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) – 1m
A classy looking renewal and surprisingly large field. We have the 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth, the Coronation Stakes winner Alcohol Free and potential improving 3-year-olds in Snow Lantern & Primo Bacio.
Alcohol Free, Snow Lantern & Mother Earth finished first, second and third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Snow Lantern has 1 ½ lengths to find with the winner but there is a decent chance that she can improve further and beat her old rival here.
Primo Bacio didn’t run in the Coronation Stakes on account of the soft ground. Prior to that she had shown an impressive change of gear to win a York Listed race. The better ground will suit and she could prove up to Group 1 standard.
Saffron Beach finished a length behind Mother Earth in the 1,000 Guineas. She failed to stay in the Oaks but the return to a mile makes her of interest and she’s not totally out of this.
Of the older generation Indie Angel looks the most likely to beat the 3-year-olds. The 4-year-old put in an improved effort on RPR’s when winning the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. If she’s wasn’t flattered by her last success then she’s got each way claims and she was supplemented for this after her Royal Ascot win.
1pt each way – Indie Angel – 14/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
York
The highlight of a seven-race card is the Group 3 Summer Stakes which has attracted a field off 11 fillies and mares.
2:40 – William Hill Summer Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) – 6f
Vadream not disgraced when sixth in the 1,000 Guineas improved again when a 2-length 3rd of 18 in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Travelled strongly through the race that day and looked to very chance coming to the final furlong. Drop back to sprint trips looks worth a try and has a favourite’s chance.
Light Refrain finished well beaten in the Jersey Stakes but she didn’t stay the 7f on testing ground. Prior to that she had finished a 1 length 4th of 10 in the Group 2 Sandy Lane. The winner Rohaan went onto win the Wokingham and is a leading fancy for Saturday’s July Cup and the second Dragon Symbol finished first past the post in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. A reproduction of her Haydock performance would see her go close.
Final Song a Group 3 winner in Meydan before finishing a ½ length runner-up to Extravagant Kid in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint. Has struggled on both starts since returning to Britain but those came on softer ground than she probably likes. If the ground continues to dry out she would be of interest despite the fact that she has to give away a 3lb penalty here.
1pt win – Final Song – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
Kilbeggan
7:35 – Smart Farm Insurance Midlands National Handicap Chase – 3m 1f
Irish Grand National winner Freewheelin Dylan goes well here form figures 212711. The last of those wins came in this race last year off 11lb lower. Races off a career high mark but given his liking for the track he’s got a big chance.
The Big Lense was 2 ¾ lengths back in 5th in this race 12 months ago.Was still in with every chance when making a mistake at the last and he also got slightly hampered by the eventual runner-up on the bend. Gets 13lb from Freewheelin Dylan today but hasn’t been seen in action since falling five out in the Galway Plate. Has failed to complete on three of his last four starts and isn’t the most reliable of jumpers. All three career wins have come on good ground so if it stays dry, he could run into the places at big odds.
1pt each way – The Big Lense – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – Freewheeling Dylan – 7/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John