A difficult day, with too many meetings tomorrow but we will try and cover them all so here goes!
The Newmarket card kicks off with the competitive Ritz Club handicap over a mile at 1.30. Captain Jacksparra had been running consistently without winning but has been creeping up the weights as a result. He is unexposed at this trip having only raced over a mile once, when only beaten a neck at Thirsk at May. He is 4 lbs higher than then but will handle the ground and has place claims. My 2 against the field would be We’ll Come and Artimino. I first noticed We’ll Come last season when he was second to Tredegar at Newmarket. A big gelding with scope for improvement he won at Yarmouth on his last start. Artimino was favourite for the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot but didn’t get much luck in running and came 4th.
The Bunbury Cup at 2.35 looks really difficult to solve. King of Argos is trained by Ed Dunlop who has a good record in the race. He won at Goodwood last month and the 3rd that day, Ordnance Row has gone on to score twice. The other one I like is Grantley Adams who was 5th in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot finishing his race well after stumbling at the start.
There are 7 runners from our list to follow in the July Cup at 3.10. Amadeus Wolf won the Duke of York Stakes in good style but then ran poorly at Royal Ascot behind Soldiers Tale. He will be a serious player here if recapturing his York form.
Borderlescott won the Stewards Cup last season but has never won outside of handicap company and is probably not quite good enough in this company. Trip and going will suit him though. Dandy Man chased home Miss Andretti in the Kings Stand at Ascot but his form is over 5 furlongs and although I have the greatest respect for him I am going to pass him over in favour of the 6 furlongs specialists.
Dutch Art was 3rd in the 1,000 Guineas and 4th in the St James Palace Stakes but reverts to sprinting here. Three year olds have a fair record in this race and this is a top class 3 year old. Sander Camillo, who won the Cherry Hinton last season is another dropping down to 6 furlongs after failing in the French Guineas. She is a brilliant filly and at her best would come into the reckoning. She has a first time visor.
Sakhee’s Secret has won his last 3 starts in impressive style. He faces his stiffest task to date here but the way he won at Salisbury last time out I am going to take him to find the necessary improvement.
The ground may not be right for Soldiers Tale while Asset and the Aussie raider Bentley Biscuit are possibles but I will stick with Sakhee’s Secret.
There are some interesting newcomers in the 3.45. Laureldean Gale, Politeia and Top Vision are all the subject of favourable reports and this should be an informative race.
My Arch was a winner at Ripon in May and after disappointing at Epsom put up a good performance to finish 4th at The Curragh on his most recent start. He has each way claims in the 4.55.
At Ascot Richard Hannon introduces an interesting newcomer in Eastern Gift in the 2.25.
Princess Valerina represents our list to follow in the 3.00. She has failed to fulfil the promise shown last season and is hard to fancy on recent form.
In the 3.35 Swinbrook has the benefit of a good draw and looks to be on a reasonable mark.
The admirably consistent Obstructive should appreciate the track at Chester and should run a big race in the 7.40 there. Patrick Hills takes 5 lbs off his back and he looks interesting.
Sagredo won a soft ground maiden last season but was too keen when last of 6 on his reappearance at Kempton. Dropped in trip in the 8.40 but form of the stable’s 3 year olds would be a concern.
Knot in Wood reared up in the stalls at Ascot which might have cost him his chance. He is well drawn in the 8.20 at Hamilton and with a talented 3 lbs claimer on board I am hopeful of a good run.
Passion Fruit has been running too well for her own good and gets little respite from the handicapper. She will probably run her usual solid race in the 3.20 at York but may have to give second best to the progressive Gunfighter. He was second over a mile at Carlisle last time out and gave the impression that 7 furlongs would be ideal for him.
In the 4.30 I like the look of Mutajarred. He was successful upped to a mile in testing conditions at Haydock last month despite looking green; little strength in depth to that race but handicapper not gone overboard and should be more to come.
Blazing Heights is our list horse in the 5.05. He has mainly run well this season but may just need to drop down a few pounds in the handicap before visiting the winner’s enclosure again.
See you tomorrow evening for a look at Saturday’s cards.
ahorse 