This Saturday rounds off another wonderful July meeting at Newmarket. As they have on the other days, the ITV Racing cameras will be set up at HQ to capture more top quality flat racing action.
Four races from the course will be featured on the Saturday coverage including the Group 1 July Cup, the feature race of the summer meeting. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the four races in the hopes that we can pick out some winners that can make your weekend even better.
2.50 – bet365 Mile Handicap
We start with the Mile Handicap and, to use a popular phrase, this could be anyone’s race. There’s a few unexposed types and they could give a very good account of themselves. Of those, David Simock’s lightly raced Sniper’s Eye is an interesting runner. He’s run twice around HQ and his last effort showed there is some ability. He could be one for the each way backers. This looks to be Havana Blue’s race to lose, however. Clive Cox’s colt is somewhat of a course specialist with form figures of 211, the most recent win coming on the July course. They were all over 7f, so the step up to a mile is interesting and makes it an even more compelling selection.
3.25 – bet365 Superlative Stakes
Aidan O’Brien looks to have a leading chance with City of Troy. The Galileo colt won well enough on debut and, with Ryan Moore booked for the ride, is expected to attract a lot of support in the betting. We’re taking him on, however, with the Godolphin runner Great Truth. Charlie Appleby’s charge won his debut at Leicester in quite taking fashion, powering over five lengths clear after showing greenness throughout the race. He should strip fitter for that run and with a bit of racing experience under his belt, he could take this on his way to bigger things.
4.00 – bet365 Bunbury Cup
Another big field handicap here could go the way of Star of Orion. Ralph Beckett’s gelding has plenty of experience at HQ and was a close second to Montassib here last time out. He has 10lbs to find on the official ratings, but was a running on second and the winner idled when leading. If Rossa Ryan can get his mount to the front in the final furlong, that might be enough to take on the likely favourite in the market, who reopposes in this race.
4.35 – Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes
The feature race of the meeting is a fascinating one, with the Commonwealth Cup first and second taking each other on again. Little Big Bear is a popular horse with punters, but was beaten by Shaquille at Royal Ascot, and we’re expecting a similar result in this one. Julie Camacho’s colt is on fire at the moment and even a downpour of rain won’t dampen his chances. He’s won top quality races in all kinds of conditions and we can’t see past the favourite.