*All times BST
Group 1 racing and high quality handicaps are the name of the game this weekend, with the highlight being the July Cup (16:35) at Newmarket this Saturday.
The feature race of the July Meeting has attracted a smaller field than normal, but one that is replete with sprinting quality. Indeed, all three of the Group 1 sprint winners from Royal Ascot are set to face off, a rarity in recent times.
Commonwealth Cup winner Venetian Sun was initially favourite when the betting opened earlier in the week, but doubts about the filly on the fast ground, and her trainer revealing she had shown signs of coming into season, have seen her price drift. Her form took a knock today and I’d be seeking to oppose her.
That weakness in the betting has seen Satono Reve ascend to the head of the market despite having been beaten at Royal Ascot in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee last time out. He was only narrowly denied by the improving and reopposing Almeraq there and does have the best form based on his efforts in the Far East, so has every chance of going one better here.
Mission Central completes the trio of Royal-meeting winners and steps up a furlong having won the King Charles III Stakes last time out. He has won over this distance and his strong-finishing effort at Ascot suggests he should relish the extra distance.
Double Rush, who won the Wokingham handicap at Royal Ascot and is unbeaten for the yard, and last year’s July Cup runner-up Big Mojo, add further spice to a fascinating race.
Speaking of Ascot, as we have extensively so far, they race tomorrow, with their highlight being the Summer Mile at 14:27. More Thunder, who was runner up here in the Queen Anne last time out, sets a strong standard but will have to once again deal with Zeus Olympios and course specialist Docklands, a pair he finished in front of at Royal Ascot. The improving Seagulls Eleven, and French raider No Lunch who beat him at Saint-Cloud in May, round out a strong field.
Over at York we have one of the most competitive handicaps of the season in the form of the John Smith’s Cup (15:45). 22 runners go to post with lightly-raced sorts Warrant Holder and Raammee looking to enhance their reputations before stepping into Pattern company.
Speaking of Stakes racing, we have a Listed and Group race on the card. The former, The City Wall Stakes (15:12), sees Group 1 winner American Affair look to return to winning ways after a lesser effort last time out.
The Silver Cup Stakes takes place at 16:55 where Tabletalk and Mount Atlas reoppose having finished 2nd and 3rd in the Grand Cup Stakes over course and distance last month.
Race Of The Weekend
The Group 1 Prix Jean Prat (15:25) takes place at Deauville this Sunday and sees a mouthwatering clash between French 2000 Guineas winner Rayif and English 1000 Guineas winner True Love. They’ll take on Coventry Stakes winner Thesecretadversary, who returns to a mile after having looked unlucky not to go close in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Horse To Watch
Before this year’s Guineas winners strut their stuff, we’ll have a chance to watch a leading fancy for next year’s renewal in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. Abraham Lincoln cost a whopping €2.3 million but looked every inch at top class colt when storming home on debut. This Ballydole representative faces another promising runner in the shape of Godolphin’s Al Hudaiba, who would have won all three starts but for unseating his rider two starts ago when in complete command. A fascinating clash.
